In this abbreviated and re-tooled schedule for 2020 in the SEC, teams are faced with an unprecedented slate of games without a breather of an FCS team, or other cupcake nonconference opponent. With the shortened schedule, 3-game stretches are even more important.

Here are the key stretches for each team in the SEC East:

Florida

  • South Carolina (Oct. 3)
  • at Texas A&M (Oct. 10)
  • LSU (Oct. 17)

The Gators will face a South Carolina team looking for revenge with the Georgia game either putting Florida in the driver’s seat, or leaving the Gators with no margin for error. A loss to South Carolina will make it especially difficult to recover. Then an interesting distraction game with old rival Jimbo Fisher, and finally an LSU team that will have its revamped roster in shape by a month into the season.

Georgia

  • Auburn (Oct. 3)
  • Tennessee (Oct. 10)
  • Alabama (Oct. 17)

This is basically 3 rivalry games depending on where you live as a Georgia fan, or how old you are. Georgia would love multiple wins here, and 3 would be a jackpot.

Kentucky

  • at Alabama (Nov. 21)
  • at Florida (Nov. 28)
  • South Carolina (Dec. 5)

The message about this is Alabama and Florida will likely have something to play for at this point in the season. Don’t be lulled to think that winning five out of six against South Carolina is easy, the Wildcats simply can’t count on that against many programs. Especially coming off the two previous games.

Missouri

  • Alabama (Sept. 26)
  • at Tennessee (Oct. 3)
  • at LSU (Oct. 10)

This stretch could measure up with virtually any in the history of college football, especially with two being on the road. Not to mention giving LSU a few weeks to work out the kinks following the national championship departures. It’s difficult to see too many teams getting two wins out of this run.

South Carolina

  • Missouri (Nov. 21)
  • Georgia (Nov. 28)
  • at Kentucky (Dec. 5)

Missouri has been a tricky game in recent years, and this late in the season, the Tigers will be used to the new coaching staff and will have largely polished any problems. The Georgia game is full of the revenge factor coming off last year, and the trip to Lexington in December could be especially chilly.

Tennessee

  • at Georgia (Oct. 10)
  • Kentucky (Oct. 17)
  • Alabama (Oct. 24)

The Vols against Mark Stoops has not been an easy experience for the Big Orange faithful. That is a tricky game between the two conference heavyweights that this is another tough one for any program to win two in this span.

Vanderbilt

  • Florida (Nov. 21)
  • Tennessee (Nov. 28)
  • at Georgia (Dec. 5)

Much like Missouri’s stretch, this is a tall order for any team. Depending on the season, Derek Mason’s job security could be a topic of discussion, and all of these teams could have the division race on their minds when they face the ‘Dores.