College football and road trips. Two of the greatest things that America has to offer. Put them together, and well, you’ve got something really special.

As we look ahead to the 2015 college football season, we’ve mapped out the ultimate SEC road trip. Embark on this road trip, and you can hit every SEC stadium in the land. In one season. Can you beat that? No, of course you can’t. So, give your bosses a heads up that you’ll be pretty hit and miss this fall, go rent a short bus and get your buddies and soundtrack ready to go.

The Schedule

Week 1: Western Kentucky @ Vanderbilt (Sep 5)

Finally, you can cross off that Western Kentucky – Vanderbilt game off your lifelong bucket list. Ok, we’re kidding, but why not get Vandy over with early? Hey, did you know Nashville is actually awesome? Did you know that Derek Mason named himself the Vanderbilt defensive coordinator for DMY2 (Derek Mason Year 2 as we “in the biz” commonly refer to this season as)? Which of these questions excite you more about hitting up Western Kentucky vs Vandy week 1 of the 2015 season?

The ultimate road trip starts with a Vandy season opener and lots and lots of country music bars, and not necessarily in that order. Pace yourself, ladies and gentlemen, as we’re only just beginning.

Week 2: Oklahoma @ Tennessee (Sep 12)

We’re staying in the state of Tennessee for one of the biggest September games in the land. Yep, you’ll be able to check out Neyland Stadium during the biggest gut check moment of the Butch Jones era. Is Jones for real or just full of marketing slogans and an overall appearance that reminds you of a highway patrol officer? If Jones is indeed building a monster in Knoxville, he can make a major statement by knocking off Big Game Bob’s visiting Sooners.

Week 3: South Carolina @ Georgia (Sep 19)

For week three, you’ll head ‘tween the hedges to take on one of the best rivalries that few people talk about. Georgia and South Carolina have had some fantastic games over the years. My favorite moment has to be when Jadeveon Clowney threw around Aaron Murray like it was his little sister.

This game is Georgia’s first big test in what could be a special season for the Dawgs. Can they take care of business at home against a Spurrier led team that always plays Georgia tough?

Week 4: UCF @ South Carolina (Sep 26)

It’s time to head to Columbia, South Carolina where the Gamecocks will take on the UCF Knights. In addition to experiencing one of the more underrated environments (Williams-Brice Stadium), you and your buddies can one-up each other on your knowledge of the Central Florida Knights. Hey did you know Matt Prater both holds the record for the longest field goal in NFL history (64 yards) and single handedly lost a bowl game for UCF against Hawaii by missing an extra point?

Week 5: Ole Miss @ Florida (Oct 3)

Time to head to Florida and take in The Swamp against a very interesting, high profile Ole Miss squad. Coach Jim McElwain will be coming off another big game at home (Tennessee) from the previous week, and will have to take on an Ole Miss team with all-stars Robert Nkemdiche, Laquon Treadwell and more. Can Coach Mac make a statement early on in his tenure as the head man in Gainesville, or will Ole Miss get a huge road win on their way to contending for the SEC West? Cool off from the outdoor humidity at The Swamp with a cold beer at The Swamp Restaurant across the street from the stadium.

Week 6: Arkansas @ Alabama (Oct 10)

In honor of the funniest press conference from 2014, you’ll be heading to Tuscaloosa for the Arkansas vs. Alabama game.

Don’t you just love how Saban essentially works himself up as the presser goes on? It’s great.

Bielema came close to knocking off the Tide last year, and a win over the favored Crimson Tide would be a major feather in his cap as he continues to rebuild the program in Arkansas. This game has upset potential for Alabama as it is sandwiched in between a tough road game at Georgia and a game against Texas A&M Aggies. Can the Hogs pound the ball against a worn out Alabama defensive front? You’ll be there live in person to witness it.

Week 7: Auburn @ Kentucky (Thurs) (Oct 15)

Week seven is special because you’re going to be taking in two games this week. Get ready for a little driving, but it will be worth it. You’ll kick off the long weekend with a Thursday night game in Lexington where the Auburn Tigers will be visiting. These Thursday night games can be dangerous. Could the Cats upset the Tigers and derail a special season?

Florida @ LSU (Oct 17)

You’ll be hitting the road from Lexington and heading to Baton Rouge to watch one of the best cross-divisional rivalry games in the league. Regardless of who is on the rosters, the LSU-Florida game is always opportune for some wild moments. If the game is at night, all bets are off as the game can get downright kooky.

A major game at Tiger Stadium is a must on this road trip, as Tiger Stadium is constantly voted as the best stadium in college football. Hopefully, the day lives up to the hype.

Week 8: Auburn @ Arkansas (Oct 24)

We’re heading north and west to attend the SEC West matchup between Arkansas and Auburn. This mid-season game can likely shape the overall success of the team for 2015. Can Bielema keep the momentum at his program? Can Auburn beat the teams most expect them to beat and contend for a title? This is SEC football, and no wins are guaranteed.

Week 9: South Carolina @ Texas A&M (Oct 31)

You’ll venture into Texas for an intriguing cross-divisional matchup between the Gamecocks and the Aggies. Experiencing Kyle Field is outstanding, but the true gems of College Station are the Texas A&M fans themselves. These fans are as welcoming to visiting fanbases as any, and will even buy you a beer on occasion just to talk SEC football with you. Remember, the Aggies are still somewhat the new guys on the block, and they’re still just excited to meet the other fanbases.

Week 10: Miss St @ Mizzou (Thursday, Nov 5)

Time to hit the other new kid on the block: Columbia, Missouri. Before you go, however, don’t tell them how weak the SEC East has been in recent years, because they aren’t going to like that! I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist.

In all honesty, like the folks down in College Station, Missouri fans are real sweethearts. The folks in the midwest love their team and their traditions. You’ve got to respect that, right? Oh, also, they’re pretty darn good at football. This week, Dan Mullen brings his squad led by Dak Prescott into Columbia to take on Gary Pinkel’s team. While most expect Mississippi State to not contend for a west crown this year due to so much turnover, this game could be key to Missouri executing a three-peat in the east.

Week 11: Alabama @ Miss State (Nov 14)

It’s back to back weeks of Mississippi State, but this week you’ll be heading to their home stadium in Starkville, Mississippi. Prescott & Co. will likely have their hands full against the visiting Crimson Tide, but you’ll get to do some serious tailgating at The Junction. It might not have the brand awareness of that other famous tailgating area in the state of Mississippi, but that doesn’t mean the tailgating is any worse. In any case, it’s a good warmup before you hit the Grove next week.

Week 12: LSU @ Ole Miss (Nov 21)

…and time for the Grove it is! It’s nearly impossible to predict what the record of the Ole Miss Rebels will be heading into the week 12 matchup against LSU, but it’s very possible to predict how great the tailgating is at the Grove! Enjoy yourself. Maybe Katy Perry will show up (probably not).

Week 13: Alabama @ Auburn (Nov 28)

Time to complete the ultimate road trip with an Iron Bowl matchup on The Plains. No rivalry has had bigger moments in recent years than Alabama vs. Auburn, and 2015 could be more of the same. Both teams enter 2014 with enormous expectations, and the Iron Bowl having SEC Championship and College Football Playoff implications is quite probable. You might not get to see a “Cam-Back” or a “Kick-Six”, but you can bet that the game will be quite awesome. Pay homage to Toomer’s Corner while you’re in town.

Adding It All Up

  • 14 games at 14 stadiums in 13 weeks
  • 3 non-conference games
  • You’ll see the following teams three times: Alabama, Auburn and South Carolina
  • You’ll see the following teams two times: Arkansas, Florida, Ole Miss, Miss. State and LSU
  • You’ll see the following teams once: Georgia, Mizzou, Texas A&M, Kentucky, Tennessee and Vanderbilt

Additional Resources

Discussion

1. What’s your best SEC football related road trip?

Multi-game road trips earn bonus points. As calendar year 2004 came to a close, I did a southeast triangle with a buddy from Florida to Atlanta to New Orleans and back to Florida. The destinations were the 2004 Peach Bowl on New Years Eve in which the Florida Gators got crushed by the Miami Hurricanes (thanks Devin Hester) and the 2005 Sugar Bowl in which the undefeated Auburn Tigers smoked Virginia Tech to remain unbeaten and yet not win a national championship in the process. Best moment? Playing craps in the Harrah’s after the Sugar Bowl with Cadillac Williams, Ronnie Brown, Carlos Rogers, several Auburn boosters and the CEO of Under Armour. Yeah, I fit in nicely. Scariest moment? Dropping a water bottle filled with liquor onto the field of play from my first row seat in the Georgia Dome and watching in slow-motion horror as it rolled into the foot of a police officer standing adjacent to the end zone. The officer looked up, made eye contact, and just shook his head. Game on!

2. What game would you swap out on the above schedule?

I wanted to include Alabama vs. Georgia in the schedule as that has the makings for one of the best games of the year (and not to mention the last time they met was the amazing SEC Championship Game of 2012), but I couldn’t make it work. Have any suggestions?

3. How many SEC stadiums have you been to?

Tell us in the comments how many you have been to. Bonus points for the SEC Championship Game experience. If you’ve been to all 14 SEC stadiums, let us know.