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Crossover games are a wonderful part of SEC football.
Many are rivalries: Tennessee-Alabama, Florida-LSU, Auburn-Georgia, etc.
Other games, such as Arkansas-Missouri and Texas A&M-South Carolina, are less steeped in tradition. The Razorbacks have only played the Tigers eight times, while the Gamecocks have fought the Aggies in a mere three games.
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Most would argue, regardless of fandom, that Alabama vs. Tennessee is the most significant of these games. Though the Crimson Tide have dominated as of late, the “Third Saturday in October” game means an enormous amount to both schools.
The recent lopsided games has caused some Volunteers fans to resent being matched up with Alabama year after year while other SEC East schools only have to play the Tide once every six years.
Unfortunately for the Vols, or any other team with a gripe, the permanent annual cross-divisional matchups are set in stone through 2025.
Here’s a look at each team’s record against the other division from 2007-2016 (includes SEC Championship games), its mark against its permanent crossover foe, and this season’s matchups.
Alabama
Record vs. SEC East: 31-3
Record vs. Tennessee: 10-0
2017 outlook: The Crimson Tide travel to Vanderbilt Sept. 23, then get Tennessee at home on Oct. 21. Alabama hasn’t lost to the Commodores since 1984.
Arkansas
Record vs. SEC East: 13-14
Record vs. Missouri: 1-3 (includes 2008 Cotton Bowl)
2017 outlook: South Carolina is Arkansas’ first true SEC road test in early October. The Razorbacks will be looking for revenge versus Missouri at home after their collapse in 2016. Not a bad draw for Bret Bielema’s squad.
Auburn
Record vs. SEC East: 16-11
Record vs. Georgia: 2-8
2017 outlook: Like Arkansas, Auburn gets its first SEC road test against an East opponent, Missouri. Surprisingly, these programs have met only twice. The Tigers take on Georgia in “The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry” in November at home.
Florida
Record vs. SEC West: 13-15
Record vs. LSU: 4-6
2017 outlook: The LSU game will be rocking in Gainesville after the way the Tigers poorly handled the hurricane situation in 2016. The Gators are fortunate to see Texas A&M, with its unsettled quarterback situation, on the schedule in mid-October at home.
Georgia
Record vs. SEC West: 16-10
Record vs. Auburn: 8-2
2017 outlook: The Bulldogs host Mississippi State this season, a game featuring programs that haven’t played each other since 2011. Highly touted quarterback Jarrett Stidham and Auburn host Georgia in Jordan-Hare Stadium this season. The Bulldogs surrendered only 7 points to the Tigers in 2016.
Kentucky
Record vs. SEC West: 7-18
Record vs. Mississippi State: 2-8
2017 outlook: Kentucky will endure the cowbells when it visits Starkville on Oct. 21. Taking on Nick Fitzgerald on the road isn’t going to be any fun for the Wildcats’ defense. The other SEC Mississippi school pays Kentucky a visit the first Saturday of November.
LSU
Record vs. SEC East: 20-7
Record vs. Florida: 6-4
2017 outlook: Heisman hopeful Derrius Guice could make a statement early in conference play with a stellar performance at Florida. The Tigers will be motivated spoilers after Florida picked the matchup for its homecoming game. Traveling to Neyland Stadium in November could be tough after back-to-back rivalry games against Alabama and Arkansas.
Mississippi State
Record vs. SEC East: 16-12
Record vs. Kentucky: 8-2
2017 outlook: The Bulldogs had their seven-game winning streak against Kentucky snapped last season. The Bulldogs will look to start another streak at home on Oct. 21. About a month before, Mississippi State faces a tough road game at Georgia, where Jacob Eason and the Bulldogs will be looking for a signature home win.
Missouri
Record vs. SEC West: 5-7
Record vs. Arkansas: 3-1 (includes 2008 Cotton Bowl)
2017 outlook: The Missouri Tigers start their season with four home games, with the last one of the stretch against the Auburn Tigers. Coach Barry Odom would love to start the season 4-0, but Missouri will be tested against Auburn. The Tigers close out their season at Arkansas, where the Razorbacks will be seeking retribution after 2016’s heartbreaking loss.
Ole Miss
Record vs. SEC East: 9-16 (not including two losses against Missouri before the Tigers joined the SEC).
Record vs. Vanderbilt: 4-6
2017 outlook: Ole Miss gets Vanderbilt at home this season. The Rebels got blasted by the Commodores last season, 38-17. In early November, Ole Miss travels to Kroger Field to take on Mark Stoops’ Kentucky Wildcats.
South Carolina
Record vs. SEC West: 9-17
Record vs. Texas A&M: 0-3
2017 outlook: The Gamecocks haven’t been able to overcome the Aggies in their first three battles. Though they play at Kyle Field, South Carolina has a solid chance to break the streak in 2017. The Gamecocks also host Arkansas on Oct. 7.
Tennessee
Record vs. SEC West: 4-22
Record vs. Alabama: 0-10
2017 outlook: Tennessee hasn’t beaten Alabama since 2006. That isn’t likely to change this season when the Vols travel to Bryant-Denny Stadium. This season’s cross-over games could be brutal for Tennessee, which also must play perennial West power LSU, though at least that one is at home.
Texas A&M
Record vs. SEC East: 7-3
Record vs. South Carolina: 3-0
2017 outlook: The Aggies won both games against the SEC East last season, beating Tennessee and South Carolina. Texas A&M hosts the Gamecocks and travels to Florida to play the Gators. Finding the right quarterback will be essential to continue the success against the East.
Vanderbilt
Record vs. SEC West: 8-17
Record vs. Ole Miss: 6-4
2017 outlook: The Commodores look to build on last season, when they smashed Ole Miss 38-17. It won’t be as easy this season at Oxford. Vanderbilt will need a couple of miracles if they want to upset Alabama at home Sept. 23.
Tye is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He works on-air for ESPN Arkansas in Fort Smith. You can follow him on twitter @TyeSportsRadio.
