Ranking the 2025 SEC football non-conference schedules

The full 2025 SEC schedule for each team has dropped, and there are some fun matchups coming up next year. I know, I know, who cares about playing good non-conference games, strength of schedule didn’t help you this year, and it probably won’t next year either.

Still, there are a lot of fun matchups, especially in the non-conference. So, I decided to rank each SEC team's non-conference schedule and highlight the games to watch. 

16. Oklahoma

Games to watch: September 6th - Michigan

Overview: Oklahoma’s non-conference is pretty bland aside from a week two matchup with Michigan. The Wolverines are the only Power Four school on the non-conference schedule. The winningest team 2024 the Sooners face will be FCS Illinois State (10-4), and the combined opponent record in 2024 is the third worst an SEC team will face (17-30).

15. Georgia

Games to watch: November 29th - Georgia Tech

Overview: Outside of Georgia Tech, Georgia’s non-conference is pretty boring. Marshall, the SunBelt Conference Champion, will have a new coach and is expected to get hit hard by the transfer portal, and Austin Peay and Charlotte were subpar this season. 

14. Tennessee 

Games to watch: August 30th - Syracuse

Overview: Syracuse plays good ball, but Kyle McCord will be gone, and the Big Orange will be looking for another quarterback. The season opener has trap game potential, but the Vols should run through the rest of their non-conference schedule.

13. Vanderbilt

Games to watch: September 6th - Virginia Tech

Overview: The Commodores beat Virginia Tech to begin last season and will get a rematch with the Hokies in week two of 2025. Vandy’s non-conference opponent record in 2024 (14-34) was the worst among SEC teams, but since Vandy is going to have some turnover next year, this could be a tough slate for the Commodores. 

12. Auburn

Games to watch: August 30th - Baylor

Overview: The Tigers will open up the year with Baylor, who went 8-4 this season. If Auburn can come out of the gates fast with a win, it could generate some positive buzz for the Tigers. The best teams Auburn faces the rest of the way through will be FCS juggernaut Mercer and in-state foe South Alabama. South Alabama is no stranger to power-four upsets, though after derailing Oklahoma State in 2023, the Jaguars could come in ready to play in this one. 

11. Kentucky

Games to watch: November 29th - Louisville

10. Missouri 

Games to watch: September 6th - Kansas | September 13th - Louisiana 

Overview: Kansas underperformed this past season after being a much-improved team in 2023, if they return to form in 2025, this could be a really good early game. Louisiana just got a former five-star quarterback transfer from Ole Miss and won 10 games this past season and could give the Tigers fits. 

9. Mississippi State

Games to watch: September 6th - Arizona State

Overview: Mississippi State will host Arizona State, a good playoff team. But other than that, they could find themselves struggling with Northern Illinois, who topped Notre Dame in 2024. Overall, the Bulldogs seem like going 2-2 in the non-conference is highly possible. 

8. Texas A&M

Games to watch: September 13th, Notre Dame

Overview: The rematch at Notre Dame will be one of the most anticipated non-conference matchups of 2025. Marcel Reed will likely be the day-one starter for the Aggies, and it’ll be a big opportunity for the Aggies to plant their CFP flag before Conference play even begins. Aside from that, the Aggies should roll through non-conference play. 

7. Alabama

Games to watch: August, 30th - Florida State | September 13th - Wisconsin

Overview: Alabama is one of three SEC teams playing multiple power four schools in 2025. Florida State should improve in 2025, and Wisconsin has to improve for Luke Fickell to keep his job. There are a lot of questions about what Kalen DeBoer’s Crimson Tide will look like after his first full recruiting cycle, so these games will be key for Alabama to shine early. If they struggle, you’ll probably see the panic button hit, especially since Alabama doesn’t have a single non-conference opponent who posted a winning record in 2024.

6. LSU

Games to watch: August 30th - Clemson 

Overview: Clemson and Western Kentucky could give the Tigers fits in 2025. Given Brian Kelly’s struggle in his season openers with the Tigers, opening up with Clemson is a tall task. Aside from Louisiana Tech, everyone on the Tiger’s schedule finished 2024 above .500 this season. 

5. South Carolina

Games to watch: August 31st - Virgina Tech | November 29th Clemson 

Overview: Virginia Tech will be a tough opponent to open up the year, and Clemson will be a hard way to end it. Add in Coastal Carolina, traditionally a really good group of five program, and this will be a tough slate in 2025.

4. Texas

Games to watch: August 30th - Ohio State

Overview: Do you really want to open up the year playing Ohio State in The Shoe? It’ll be a tough way to begin the year, but Texas should have a lot of strength back and put in a good early showing. The rest of the nonconference slate should produce little anxiety.

3. Forida

Games to watch: September 20th - Miami | November 29th - Floida State

Overview: USF, Miami, and Florida State, oh my! The Gators will want to beat Miami, especially after last year. Florida State should be better, and USF can give good teams fits even on a down year. The only easy game for the Gators in 2025 will be Long Island, aside from that, we will see just how much Billy Napier’s squad has improved. 

2. Ole Miss

Games to watch: September 20th - Tulane | October 11th - Washington State

Overview: Washington State and Tulane are both really good teams and without Jaxson Dart and with their assumed 2025 starting quarterback transferring away, it could be a rocky start in Oxford. At first glance, this schedule isn’t anything crazy, but there are some good early challenges for the Rebels here.

1. Arkansas

Games to watch: September 20th - Memphis | September 27th Notre Dame

Overview: From September 13th to October 18th Arkansas will play one of the toughest stretches in the country. Sandwiched between Ole Miss and Tennessee are 10-win Memphis and playoff team Notre Dame, not to mention a game in week two with a Butch Jones-coached Arkansas State team that is improving. No one should envy the Razorbacks in 2025. No one.