2012 SEC Football Schedule: Does Texas A&M or Missouri Have Easier First Season?

We still have a lot of football to be played before this college football season is over, but it's never too early to look ahead to next season.

Today the SEC schedule was released for all the teams in college footballs toughest conference. And it included the two new teams added to party—the Missouri Tigers and Texas A&M Aggies. Both teams decided to leave the Big 12 for the SEC earlier this season.

Many question whether or not either of these teams can compete in the SEC, but who ended up with the easier schedule?

Let's take a look.

Texas A&M

Schedule:

Sept. 1: vs. McNeese State
Sept. 8: FLORIDA
Sept. 15: at SMU
Sept. 29: vs. Arkansas
Oct. 6: at Ole Miss
Oct. 20: LSU
Oct. 27: at Auburn
Nov. 3: at Mississippi State
Nov. 10: at Alabama
Nov. 24: MISSOURI

The Aggies first SEC game will take place against the Florida Gators, who should be a much better team than they were this season. A game against the Razorbacks won't be easy, especially with a healthy Knile Davis back.

Anytime you have to play LSU and Alabama is never good news, and a trip at Auburn won't be easy either despite the poor season the Tigers had this year.

Good news is they get Missouri at home.

Missouri

Schedule:

Sept. 8: GEORGIA
Sept. 22: at South Carolina
Oct. 6: VANDERBILT
Oct. 13: ALABAMA
Oct. 27: KENTUCKY
Nov. 3: at Florida
Nov. 10: at Tennessee
Nov. 24: at Texas A&M

Taking on the Georgia Bulldogs won't be an easy task, as they are very balanced on both sides of the ball and should be the favorite to win the East division. Alabama is obviously not going to be a fun game regardless of where it is played.

Finishing up a schedule that consists of three straight road games is brutal.

Which Is the Easier Schedule?

There's no question that the Tigers have the easier schedule. Sure, they end up finishing the SEC schedule with three straight road games, but they don't have to play LSU and Alabama like the Aggies do.

Texas A&M also has three straight road games against tougher opponents that include Auburn, Mississippi State and Alabama. Playing in any of those environments is never easy.

Missouri got quite a few of the weaker SEC teams including Vanderbilt, Kentucky and even Tennessee.

Both teams are going to have their work cut out for them as they get comfortable in their new home, but it will be a lot easier for Missouri in year one.

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers college football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail].