Here is my list for the best rivalries in the SEC. Teams outside the conference are also included such as Georgia Tech in the Tech-Georgia rivalry. The rankings are based on several factors including history, number of games, proximity, competitiveness, recent relevance and the hate/respect factor.
1. Alabama-Auburn (Iron Bowl) 72 times met, Alabama leads 38-33-1
- Hands Down
2. Florida-Georgia (World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party) 85, Georgia leads 46-37-2
- Keeps getting better
3. Auburn-Georgia (Deep South's Oldest Rivalry) 111, Auburn leads 53-50-8
- The most “respected” rivalry
4. Tennessee-Alabama (Third Saturday in October) 90, Alabama leads 45-38-7
- Two winningest programs in the SEC
5. Florida-Florida St. (Battle for the Governor's Cup) 52, Florida leads 31-19-2
- Rivalry is fading a bit
6. Ole Miss-Miss St. (Egg Bowl) 104, Ole Miss leads 59-39-6
- Underrated, intense rivalry
7. S. Carolina-Clemson (The Palmetto Bowl) 105, Clemson leads 64-37-4
- Longest uninterrupted series in the south
8. Georgia-Georgia Tech (Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate) 102, Georgia leads 59-38-5
- Two very different schools only 70 miles apart
9. Tennessee-Florida (Third Saturday in September) 37, series tied 19-19
- UT won first 10 games of even series
10. Auburn-LSU (Tiger Bowl) 43, LSU leads 23-19-1
- Fast-rising SEC rivalry
11. LSU-Alabama (Saban Bowl) 71, Alabama leads 44-22-5
- Nick Saban instantly moved this rivalry way up
12. Arkansas-Texas 76, Texas leads 55-21
- One of the best “intermittent” rivalries
13. LSU-Ole Miss (Southern Tradition) 95, LSU leads 55-37-4
- Old-time rivalry is declining
14. Alabama-Miss St. (The 90-Mile Drive) 92, Alabama leads 71-19-2
- Lopsided rivalry of teams with closest proximity in SEC
15. Tennessee-Vanderbilt (I-40 Bowl) 102, Tennessee leads 69-28-5
- Beating Vanderbilt was General Neyland’s only job requirement
16. Florida-Miami (Battle for the Seminole War Canoe) 53, Miami leads 27-26
- Another intense “intermittent” rivalry
17. Tennessee-Kentucky (Border Bowl) 103, Tennessee leads 71-23-9
- UT holds nation's longest active winning streak over one team, 26 over Kentucky
18. LSU-Tulane (Battle for the Rag) 96, LSU leads 67-22-7
- The satin flag is fought for between these old SEC rivals
19. Georgia-South Carolina (The Border Bash) 60, Georgia leads 45-13-2
- Game means much more to South Carolina
20. Kentucky-Louisville (Battle for the Governor's Cup) 21, Kentucky leads 12-9
- Bigger basketball rivalry
21. Ole Miss-Arkansas (The "Nutt" Bowl) 54, Arkansas leads 29-24-1
- Geographically close schools' rivalry revved up with Houston Nutt moving to Ole Miss
22. LSU-Arkansas (Battle for the Golden Boot) 53, LSU leads 33-18-2
-Winner receives heaviest trophy in sports, 175 lb. gold boot
23. Florida-Auburn 82, Auburn leads 42-38-2
- Annual rivalry stopped when SEC split divisions has memorable history
24. Tennessee-Georgia 37, Tennessee leads 20-15-2
- Competitive SEC East battle
25. Arkansas-Texas A&M 65, Arkansas leads 38-24-3
- Historical Southwest Conference rivalry will renew in 2009 in Dallas
11 comments Last one added 5 months ago — Leave a Comment
john brewer 9 months ago
you mean georgia=florida georgia-auburn georgia-tennessee
Edit Comment Cancel
Michael Shibley 9 months ago
Good stuff Brian!
Still wish Tennessee and Kentucky played for the Beer Barrel!
Edit Comment Cancel
Brian Hood 9 months ago
Thanks Michael, yeah me too, they still call it the "World's Largest Cocktail Party" and there has been many more instances (and deaths) involved with that one.
Edit Comment Cancel
BabyTate 9 months ago
Good article and interesting facts and information. I've always liked #13 the best.
Edit Comment Cancel
Brian Hood 9 months ago
Thanks Tate, that's a classic rivalry that not many people outside the SEC are really aware of.
Edit Comment Cancel
Michael Shibley 9 months ago
I love hearing the story of Billy Cannon through the fog!
Edit Comment Cancel
Rodney Keeton 9 months ago
It should be noted that the Tennessee/Bama game this year is the fourth Saturday in October....bummer.
Edit Comment Cancel
Brian Hood 9 months ago
I think that has happened a couple times now in the last few years.....little annoying.
Edit Comment Cancel
Timothy Croley 8 months ago
Agree this is annoying, and a bummer. The establishment of what is now known as the SEC, along with the slip and scheduling of games has caused this game to be pushed back. I don't understand why good things can't be left alone. What would it hurt moving the game up one week? Just swap games with both schools to the next week.
Edit Comment Cancel
Timothy Croley 8 months ago
Brian, this was a great article. Sorry I cam ein late on it. I agree alost 100%. I would probably swap a couple around. Might even swap numbers 2 & 4. But really this was a great piece.
Edit Comment Cancel
ACC SEC Blog 5 months ago
i agree with 24 of the 25 though i guess arkansas and texas am are going to renew theres here shortly.
just shows how great sec football is to have 25 real rivalries.
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.