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When you’re a team in the SEC, it sometimes feels like everyone on your schedule is ranked among the top 10 in the country. Sometimes, one of those opposing teams is the best in the country.
Let’s take a look at the last time a No. 1 team visited each SEC stadium to see if playing No. 1s really does happen as often as we think.
ALABAMA
Date: Nov. 29, 2014
Team: Alabama
The last time a No. 1 came to Tuscaloosa was the home team. Alabama was at the top of the Associated Press poll when Auburn, ranked No. 15, came to play them in the Iron Bowl.
ARKANSAS
Date: Sept. 15, 2012
Team: Alabama
The last No. 1 team to come to Fayetteville destroyed the Razorbacks, 52-0.
AUBURN
Date: Nov. 30, 2013
Team: Alabama
Auburn was ranked No. 4 when No. 1 Alabama marched into Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn defeated Alabama with the famous Kick Six play.
FLORIDA
Date: Nov. 28, 2009
Team: Florida
Tim Tebow was still quarterback the last time a No. 1 team played at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. In fact, Florida was No. 1 for 12 out of 14 weeks that season.
GEORGIA
Date: Sept. 6, 2008
Team: Georgia
Georgia entered the season ranked No. 1 in both preseason polls. However, right after playing their Week 2 game against Central Michigan, the Bulldogs slipped down to No. 2 and never got back to the top.
KENTUCKY
Date: Oct. 25, 2014
Team: Mississippi State
The Wildcats gave the Bulldogs a good fight in Commonwealth Stadium, but lost by 14 points.
LSU
Date: Nov. 3, 2012
Team: Alabama
The No. 1 Crimson Tide came to Death Valley to face off against No. 5 LSU in this heated rivalry matchup. LSU lost by only 4 points.
MISSISSIPPI STATE
Date: Nov. 8, 2014
Team: Mississippi State
Last season, the Bulldogs played two consecutive games in front of their home crowd as the No. 1 team in the country.
MISSOURI
Date: Oct. 13, 2012
Team: Alabama
The Tigers were in the midst of an up-and-down season, and had just come off a loss against Vanderbilt at home. No. 1 Alabama added insult to injury by going to Faurot Field and beating Mizzou, 42-10.
OLE MISS
Date: Nov. 19, 2011
Team: LSU
This was not much of a contest. Ole Miss entered the game having lost five straight. LSU gave them a sixth.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Date: Oct. 9, 2010
Team: Alabama
The Gamecocks rallied after suffering a defeat at Auburn. When No. 1 Alabama came to Williams-Brice Stadium, South Carolina beat them 35-21.
TENNESSEE
Date: Oct. 20, 2012
Team: Alabama
After two games on the road, the Volunteers came back to Knoxville only to have to host No. 1 Alabama. The Crimson Tide won handily.
TEXAS A&M
Date: Sept. 14, 2013
Team: Alabama
The Aggies were ranked No. 6 when No. 1 Alabama paid them a visit at Kyle Field. Texas A&M kept it close, but was unable to beat Alabama.
VANDERBILT
Date: Nov. 28, 1998
Team: Tennessee
The last time Vanderbilt played a No. 1 team was in ’09 against Florida. But the last time the Commodores played a No. 1 team at home was back in ’98. They were shut out by the Volunteers.
Christine Wang is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. She covers Auburn, Arkansas and Ole Miss.
