A look at how many AP Preseason ranked opponents every SEC team plays in 2014
With the AP Top 25 release today, let’s look at which SEC teams play the most ranked opponents in 2014.
Auburn and Arkansas both play seven top 25 opponents. That sounds like a lot. But when you compare Ohio State only playing one ranked opponent, it’s almost highway robbery. Auburn, Arkansas and Tennessee arguably have the three toughest schedules in the country.
Florida, Tennessee and Texas A&M all play six ranked opponents. Contrast that with Missouri, who plays an SEC-low three ranked opponents. While the Tigers lost some firepower on both sides of the football, the schedule sets up perfectly to defend their SEC East division crown.
Please note this isn’t a strength of schedule ranking; it’s a mere look at how many ranked opponents every team plays in 2014, according to the AP Preseason Poll:
RELATED: 2014 SEC Strength of Schedule
Auburn (7)
Ranked opponents: at #20 Kansas State, #13 LSU, #9 South Carolina, at #18 Ole Miss, #21 Texas A&M, at #12 Georgia, at #2 Alabama
Arkansas (7)
Ranked opponents: at #6 Auburn, vs. #21 Texas A&M, #2 Alabama, #12 Georgia, #13 LSU, #18 Ole Miss, at #24 Missouri
Florida (6)
Ranked opponents: at #2 Alabama, #13 LSU, #24 Missouri, vs. #12 Georgia, #9 South Carolina, at #1 Florida State
Tennessee (6)
Ranked opponents: at #4 Oklahoma, at #12 Georgia, at #18 Ole Miss, #2 Alabama, at #9 South Carolina, #24 Missouri
Texas A&M (6)
Ranked opponents: at #9 South Carolina, #18 Ole Miss, at #2 Alabama, at #6 Auburn, #24 Missouri #13 LSU
LSU (5)
Ranked opponents: vs. #14 Wisconsin, at #6 Auburn, #18 Ole Miss, #2 Alabama, at #21 Texas A&M
Mississippi State (5)
Ranked opponents: at #13 LSU, #21 Texas A&M, #6 Auburn, at #2 Alabama, at #18 Ole Miss
South Carolina (5)
Ranked opponents: #21 Texas A&M, #12 Georgia, #24 Missouri, at #6 Auburn, at #16 Clemson
Alabama (4)
Ranked opponents: at #18 Ole Miss, #21 Texas A&M, at #13 LSU, #6 Auburn
Georgia (4)
Ranked opponents: #16 Clemson, at #9 South Carolina, at #24 Missouri, #6 Auburn
Ole Miss (4)
Ranked opponents: #2 Alabama, at #21 Texas A&M, at #13 LSU, #6 Auburn
Kentucky (4)
Ranked opponents: #9 South Carolina, at #13 LSU, at #24 Missouri, #12 Georgia
Vanderbilt (4)
Ranked opponents: #18 Ole Miss, #9 South Carolina, at #12 Georgia, at #24 Missouri
Missouri (3)
Ranked opponents: at #9 South Carolina, #12 Georgia, at #21 Texas A&M