2012 SEC Football Schedule: The Make-or-Break SEC Game on Every Team's Schedule

With only the bowl games left, the college football season is rapidly coming to a close.

The SEC has just released their schedule, and there are quite a few great matchups to look forward to.

There is no conference that is more appealing than the SEC. It's already considered the best conference in the sport by many, but it should be an even better next year with the additions of Texas A&M and Missouri.

This conference continues to get even stronger.

Here are the make-or-break games next season for every team in the SEC.

The Rest

Kentucky

The Wildcats shouldn't have high expectations heading into next season. That's why their make-or-break game is against Florida. It's a road game and the first SEC game for them. It's also against a team they haven't beaten since 1986. Ouch.

Ole Miss

There's a serious chance that the Rebels could lose every game in the SEC next year. That schedule is not looking good at all. That's why the last game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs is the make-or-break game for them. Give the fans something to hang their hat on and beat Mississippi State for the first time in three years.

Mississippi State

The Bulldogs haven't beaten the Crimson Tide in four years. A win over them next season would really be huge and will be needed if they expect to have a successful season. After the game against Alabama, the Bulldogs play Texas A&M, LSU and Arkansas.

Tennessee

The Volunteers may have had a horrible season, but that's only because they are extremely young and had a few injuries as well. They'll be much better next year, but still, don't expect them to become contenders just yet. A reasonable game is against Florida. If the Volunteers are able to knock off Florida early in the year, it'll give them confidence the rest of the way.

Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt is a team that is improving under James Franklin and are no longer pushovers in the SEC. The first game on their SEC schedule is against South Carolina, and that's the game that will make or break them. The Commodores have confidence after a decent season this year, and a win over the Gamecocks early in the year will just build off of that.

Texas A&M

Texas A&M has a very tough SEC schedule for their first season, as it features Alabama, Arkansas and LSU.

The game of the year for the Aggies is against the Tigers. Not only is this game going to have an impact on the rankings, it's also a rivalry game that dates back to 1906.

Welcome to the SEC, Teas A&M. Show us what you got.

South Carolina

The Gamecocks will likely be that surprise team next season, as they have a very tough and underrated defense. They also have running back Marcus Lattimore returning to the football field as well.

The big game for them will be against the LSU Tigers. It's in Baton Rouge, which will provide a hostile atmosphere, but the Gamecocks are capable of pulling off the upset. With games against Florida and Arkansas ahead, this may be a must win for them.

Missouri

Missouri's first SEC game against the Georgia Bulldogs will be that make-or-break game for them.

This will really be a statement game for them since they are at home and are playing a very talented team. The Bulldogs will likely be the favorite in the East Division, and it would say a lot if the Tigers are able to give them a loss.

LSU

Was there any question what the game of the year will be for LSU? Of course it's the game against the Crimson Tide.

This game will once again be as big as it was this season, and with it being at home, the Tigers will be expected to win it. The winner of this game will likely become the favorite to not only win the SEC, but possibly be in the driver seat for another national championship.

Georgia

Georgia is going to be one very talented team next season on both sides of the ball. But if they plan on fulfilling some of their high expectations, they have to play well against South Carolina.

The Bulldogs really have an easy schedule this season, but a trip to South Carolina to take on the Gamecocks is no easy task. That offense gets after it, and they'll be playing a very tough defense.

Florida

The Gators are another team that should be better next season, with head coach Will Muschamp heading into his second year.

I think the make-or-break game for them is against Texas A&M. They're traveling on the road, and it will be an early test against a talented team.

This game could really set the tone the rest of the way.

Auburn

I completely expect the Tigers to be much better next season. They lost a ton of players on both sides of the ball on that championship team. This young team now has a year under their belt, and the talent will begin to show more than it did this season.

The game of the year for them is of course against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Despite just how good this team could be, nobody expects them to reach a BCS bowl. They do need to compete with their hated rivals, though, to prove they are still a top team in the conference.

And, if somehow they pull off an upset, they'll shatter any championship dreams the Crimson Tide had.

Arkansas

Arkansas will have an even stronger team once they get running back Knile Davis 100 percent healthy. That will make an offense that was good this season great next year.

Although the Razorbacks play LSU at the end of the year, I think their make-or-break game will come against the Alabama Crimson Tide. It's the first SEC game for them, and it will really set the tone for them the rest of the way.

Win, and their confidence is through the roof. Lose, and they're playing catch-up the rest of the year.

Alabama

Alabama will have to travel to LSU next season to take on the tough Tigers. This game will likely decide who comes out of the West Division once again.

The Crimson Tide do have a tough schedule this year that includes games against Arkansas, Auburn, Texas A&M and a road game at Missouri. But none are as big as the game against the Tigers.

Both teams will likely be ranked high heading into this game, and regardless of the outcome, it will effect the rankings.

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