1. Auburn vs. Alabama- As if this historic rivalry game needs any added drama, the 2013 game between these two powerhouses did just that. Last year’s Iron Bowl will forever go down in the history books as one of the best ever, after Auburn won the game on a 103-yard missed field goal return by senior cornerback Chris Davis. Bama fans continue to seethe at the sight of the Auburn faithful storming the field in Jordan Hare to celebrate their rivalry victory on their way to an eventual SEC championship. Expect much of this pent up anger from Tide fans to boil over into the upcoming season’s game in Tuscaloosa. With both teams ranked as preseason top 10 teams, the expectations for both squads could not be any higher. This alone would make for a highly anticipated college football game, but add all of these factors to the Iron Bowl and fans are looking at a potential instate civil war come November 29th
2. Alabama vs. LSU- This game makes its way onto this list seemingly every year. While the two teams have always been intra-division foes, only in the past decade has it become the nationally renowned rivalry it is today. Many Bama fans would admit this game has become more meaningful and personal than even the Tennessee game, which was traditionally considered one of the best rivalries in the SEC. Both teams have been incredibly successful in the past decade with five National Championship titles split between the two schools. Under the current head coaches Les Miles and Nick Saban, this series has become very competitive. Saban currently holds a 5-3 advantage over his former school, but nearly every game that has been played between the two has felt like a classic, with the exception of Alabama’s 20111 National Championship win. Adding to the intrigue of this year’s contest, both teams have new quarterbacks and question marks on defense that they are not accustomed to. The rabid LSU fan base tripped the Richter scale and caused an earthquake in 1988, don’t be surprised if they produce another when the Tide come rolling into Death Valley on November
3. Georgia vs. South Carolina- A decade ago this game was only an afterthought in the SEC. Having this game as #3 on the list is credit to the job Steve Spurrier has done at South Carolina. Spurrier has created a true rivalry for the first time in history of the matchup, which is making life a living hell for Georgia fans. While his 4-5 record against the Dawgs may not appear that impressive on the surface, consider how poorly other Gamecock coaches have done against Georgia and be impressed. Georgia was able to win a shootout in Athens last year, halting the Gamecocks 3 game-winning streak against them. Many believe this year’s September 13 game, could be the ultimate deciding factor in who represents the SEC East division in this year’s championship game. After losing key players to the NFL draft this year, both teams will need to answer some questions particularly at defensive back and quarterback. Dawg fans will be looking to reassert their dominance in this rivalry, while the Gamecocks will be looking to continue their 15-game home win streak which is the longest in the country. An early win for either team in this game would put them in the driver’s seat in the SEC East for the remainder of the season.
4. Alabama vs. Florida- After an abysmal 4-8 season in 2013, Will Muschamp and his Gator team look to rebound in 2014. With three winnable games to start the season, September 20th will present the Gators with their first real test, and a test it is. Alabama is loaded at every position with their lone question mark coming at quarterback, but many believe Jacob Coker will be the answer for the Tide in the 2014 season. Surrounded by many skill position weapons including Amari Cooper, OJ Howard, and TJ Yeldon, Coker will have an opportunity to show his capabilities against the first SEC defense he will face in his career. While Florida has questions of their own, they should still have a quality defense. The matchup between Jacob Coker and the Florida secondary led by Vernon Hargreaves III is one that has SEC fans licking their chops. Do not be surprised if this turns out to be a typical SEC battle as Florida looks to prove they are back with a vengeance.
5. Auburn vs. Georgia- Georgia fans have been scarred by the sight of their former safety Tray Matthews tipping the ball into the hands of Ricardo L, a play which breathed new life into Auburn’s 2013 championship season. Ironically, Matthews, who won the game for Auburn in 2013, will now be watching the 2014 game from the Auburn sideline after a dismissal from the Georgia squad. These two schools are historically connected in so many different ways. Former Auburn player Vince Dooley went on to become a legendary head football coach and Athletic Director at Georgia, while former Georgia player Pat Dye went on to become an Auburn coaching legend. Separated by only a two-hour drive, the two schools consistently engage in recruiting battles over the same talented players, with decisions often coming down to the wire. To add salt to the wounds, the former long-time recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach at Georgia, Rodney Garner, now coaches at Auburn. The overall series record seems to defy the laws of statistics as after 117 total meetings Auburn holds the series record by one game. It is as if the two schools are looking in the mirror each time they play. New Georgia Defensive Coordinator Jeremy Pruitt will have his hands full in an attempt to stop Nick Marshall (interestingly, another former Bulldog who was dismissed from the team) and the Auburn offense, something he struggled with as Florida State defensive coordinator in the 2014 National Championship game. Both teams are highly talented with weapons on offense and future NFL stars on defense. On November 15, expect another classic from a rivalry that has been played more times than any other in the deep south.
Get your Calendars Ready: Five Most Anticipated SEC Games in 2014-2015
