The vaunted SEC, winner of 6 straight BCS National Championships has released its schedule for 2012. In presenting the schedule and trying to demonstrate a relative perspective of its challenges, we have divided opponents into three categories:
1) BCS opponents (5 conferences, ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, & PAC 12 & one Independent, Notre Dame… the SEC is the 6th BCS conference),
2) FBS teams (5 Conferences, MAC, WAC, Mountain West, C-USA, & Sun Belt and 3 Independents; Army, BYU & Navy).
Technically, the BCS conferences are part of the NCAA’s FBS classification. The BCS is an independent construct put together by the six fore-mentioned conferences & ND! However, for our purposes of identifying challenges in a team’s non-conference schedule this division allows for an easy understanding of the schedule’s relative strenght.
3) FCS units which are made up of 13 conferences and a few independents. The important distinction between the FBS & the FCS is that the FCS affiliates cannot give more than 63 scholarships but can give fewer. The FBS teams must give 85… unless the NCAA tells them not to… typically that means they are in trouble!
Let’s take a look see at who the SEC is taking on this year….
SEC West
Alabama: Plays 12 Games, 8 conference (Please refer to site for more conference detail) and 4 non conference, 1 BCS Opponent from the Big Ten (Michigan); 2 FBS opponents, both from SBC (Sun Belt Conference’s Western Kentucky & Florida Atlantic); and 1 FCS opponent from the Southern Conference (Western Carolina)
Arkansas: Plays12 Games, 8 conference and 4 non-conference, 1 BCS opponent from the Big East (Rutgers); 2 FBS Opponents, one from the SBC (Louisiana Monroe) & one from C-USA (Tulsa); and 1 FCS (63 scholarship program) from the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC’s Jacksonville State)
Auburn: Plays 12 Games, 8 Conference & 4 non-0conference, 1 BCS opponent from the ACC (Clemson); 2 FBS Opponents, one from the SBC (Louisiana Monroe) & one from the WAC (New Mexico State); and 1 FCS opponent from the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference’s Alabama A&M)
LSU: Plays 12 Games, 8 conference and 4 non-conference, 1 BCS opponent from the PAC 12 (Washington) 2 FBS opponents one from the WAC (Western Athletic Conference’s Idaho) & one from the SBC (North Texas) ; 1 FCS team from the CAA (Colonial Athletic Association’s Towson)
Mississippi State: Plays 12 Games, 8 conference and 4 non-conference, 0 BCS opponents; 3 FBS opponents from the SBC (South Alabama, Middle Tennessee, & Troy) and 1 FCS opponent from the SWAC (Jackson State)
Ole Miss: Plays 12 Games, 8 conference and 4 non-conference; 1 BCS opponent from the Big 12 (Texas); 2 FCS opponents from C-USA (UTEP & Tulane) and 1 FCS opponent from the Southland Conference (Central Arkansas)
Texas A& M: Plays 12 Games, 8 conference and 4 non-conference; 0 BCS opponents, 2 FBS squads from C-USA (SMU & La Tech); and 2 FCS teams, one from the MEAC (Mideastern Athletic Conference’s South Carolina State) & one from the Southland (Sam Houston)
The SEC West plays 5 BCS opponents, 15 FBS teams and 8 FCS squads to round out a very challenging SEC inter conference/divisional experience.
SEC East
Florida: Plays 12 Games, 8 conference and 4 non-conference; 1 BCS opponent from the ACC (Florida State), 2 FBS teams, one from the MAC (Bowling Green) & one from the SBC (Louisiana Lafayette) and 1 FCS opponent from the OVC (Jacksonville State)
Georgia: Plays 12 games, 8 conference and four non-conference, 1 BCS opponents from the ACC (Georgia Tech); 2 FBS squads, one from the MAC (Buffalo) & one from the SBC (Florida Atlantic); and 1 FCS team from the Southern (Georgia Southern)
Kentucky: Plays 12 games, 8conference Games and four non-conference;1 BCS opponent from the Big East (Louisville); 2 FBS teams one from the SBC (Western Kentucky) & one from the MAC (Kent State); and 1 FCS team from the Southern (Samford)
Missouri: Plays 12 Games; 8 conference & 4 non-conference; 2 BCS opponents, one from the Big East (Syracuse) & one from the PAC 12 (Arizona State); 1 FBS team from C-USA (Central Florida), and 1 FCS team from the Southern (Southeastern Louisiana)
South Carolina: Plays 12 Games; 8 conference & 4 non-conference; 1 BCS opponent from the ACC (Clemson) ; 2 FBS opponents from C-USA ( UAB & East Carolina); and 1 FCS opponent from the Southern (Wofford)
Tennessee: Plays 12 Games, 8 conference & 4 non-conference; 1 BCS opponent from the ACC (North Carolina State); 2 FBS teams, one from the MAC (Akron) & one from the SBC (Troy); and 1 FCS team from the CAA (Georgia State)
Vanderbilt: Plays 12 games; 8 conference & 4 non-conference; 2 BCS opponents, one from the Big Ten (Northwestern) & one from the ACC (Wake Forest); 1 FBS from the MAC (Massachusetts); and 1 FCS unit from the Big South (Presbyterian)
The SEC East plays 9 BCS opponents, 12 FBS teams and 7 FCS squads to round out a very challenging SEC inter conference/divisional experience.
Clearly, the SEC East is playing the more challenging schedule this coming season, 9 BCS non-conference opponents to 5 for the West. The East takes on the ACC 5 times, the Big East 2, the Big Ten 1, & the PAC 12 1; while the West meets the Big East 1, the ACC 1, the Big Ten 1, the Big 12 1 & PAC 12 1.
Fans should have no problem with the SEC’s West scheduling 5 BCS opponents given the murderer’s row these teams have to walk through, dodge around, run over, & duck under during the regular season in the West. Nor should they fret about the SEC East’s schedule which is identical to the Big Ten’s Legends, who also scheduled 9 BCS opponents. A simple statement of fact is the SEC West is stronger that the SEC East right now (a few years ago… say 3…. the East was better that the West) So even though the schedule was built a few years ago (except for A&M and Missouri) … the scheduling is reflective of the relative strengths of the respective Divisions!
One final fact, Clemson is stepping up and taking on two of the SEC’s “Bad Boys”, Auburn and in-state rival, South Carolina. The Tigers are the only BCS team in the country playing 2 non-conference games against SEC teams. I am not sure if we should give them credit or send them flowers.
All of these games and more on now up for your viewing on the site. Enjoy the data!
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