Toughest non-conference game for each SEC football team

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Nov 26, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back Clinton Lynch (22) runs past Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Maurice Smith (2) for a touchdown during the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Every team in the SEC is required to schedule four non-conference games every season, and this year’s non-conference slate will provide some tough matchups.

While every SEC football team is required to schedule these games, clearly every team doesn’t approach these games the same way. Some look at out-of-conference games as ways to challenge their team and prepare them for the rest of the season, while others simply look at them as a way to beef up their win total.

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Last year, the SEC opened the season with several marquee matchups. Alabama opened the season with a 52-6 win over no. 20 USC in “Jerry World”. Georgia and Texas A&M also opened the season with wins over no. 22 North Carolina and no. 16 UCLA, respectively. LSU and Auburn also opened the season with big-time matchups, but lost Wisconsin and no. 2 Clemson.

The SEC went 48-19 in non-conference games in 2016, including 6-7 in bowl games.

Today we’ve decided to highlight the toughest non-conference game on every SEC team’s 2017 schedule.

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