SEC Football: Ranking the 2022 rivalry week matchups from worst to best
By Matt Melton
If there is one thing that every SEC Football fan can agree on, it’s that rivalry week is one of the most exciting weeks of the year. Since rivalry week has now officially arrived as well, why not rank this year’s SEC Football rivalry matchups from worst to best?
Ranking the 2022 SEC Football rivalry week matchups from worst to best
9. No. 1 Georgia vs Georgia Tech
This year’s edition of “Clean, Old Fashioned Hate” could likely play out similar to a year ago when the Bulldogs shutout Georgia Tech 45-0 in Atlanta. The Yellow Jackets need a win to get bowl eligible, but considering they’ve only beaten Georgia three times since 2001, it’s unlikely to happen here against the top ranked Bulldogs.
8. Missouri vs Arkansas
Arkansas snapped a five-game losing streak to the Tigers a year ago, defeating Missouri 34-17 in Fayetteville. Should the Razorbacks make it two-straight Friday afternoon in Columbia, it would prevent Missouri from getting bowl eligible for the third time in the past four seasons.
7. Texas A&M vs No. 5 LSU
The message for LSU is simple entering Saturday night in College Station – win, and the Tigers keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive. Should the Aggies defeat the Tigers however, it would be only Texas A&M’s third win over LSU since joining the SEC in 2012.
6. Vanderbilt vs No. 10 Tennessee
Needing a win to get bowl eligible for the first time since 2018, can Vanderbilt keep the winning streak going against their in-state rivals? Having won three-straight over the Commodores, the Volunteers are still likely a multiple touchdown favorite here in what is the first game without starting quarterback Hendon Hooker.
5. Kentucky vs No. 25 Louisville
Kentucky has won three-straight over rival Louisville, and get a ranked Cardinals team in Lexington this week. Yes, the Wildcats have lost two-straight, but could easily make it four in a row over their in-state rivals Saturday afternoon.
4. Florida at No. 16 Florida State
The Gators have won three-straight over the Seminoles, which includes a 24-21 win last season in Gainesville. Florida will now travel to Tallahassee for the first time since 2018 on Friday night, a game in which the Gators left with a 41-14 win.
3. South Carolina at No. 8 Clemson
South Carolina ended Tennessee’s College Football Playoff hopes last week, and could potentially do the exact same Saturday afternoon to rival Clemson with a win. The Gamecocks have not beaten the Tigers since 2013 however, with their last win in Clemson coming back in 2012.
2. No. 20 Ole Miss vs Mississippi State
The past two matchups between the Rebels and Bulldogs have been decided by 10-or-less points, and this year’s edition of the Egg Bowl should be no different. Having won those two matchups as well, could Ole Miss potentially make it three-straight Thursday night in Oxford?
1. No. 7 Alabama vs Auburn
Regardless of where, or even if, either team is ranked at the time, the Iron Bowl is always one of the biggest games of the year. This year’s matchup should be no different featuring an Alabama team needing a win to keep their already slim College Football Playoff hopes alive, as well as an Auburn team needing a win to get bowl eligible.
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Should they lose, it would also be only the first time since 2012 that Auburn has ended a season with less than six wins. A win over the Crimson Tide will certainly be tough as well, considering the Tigers have also not won in Bryant-Denny since 2010.