Report: Dates decided for multiple big-time 2024 SEC matchups
With the 2023 regular season officially complete, most SEC fans are now waiting for their 2024 schedule. While the opponents are known, the conference has yet to put together dates. With Texas and Oklahoma joining, there is plenty of intrigue about when things line up.
In a report from ESPN’s Chris Low, a few dates have already been decided upon. None are bigger than Alabama facing Georgia in Tuscaloosa (Sept. 28), while Texas and Texas A&M renew their rivalry around Thanksgiving.
Eight other matchups are being reported by Low as well. Some are rivalries we have grown accustomed to seeing. Elsewhere, teams are playing each other for the first time in a long time.
Texas A&M at Florida – Sept. 14
When Texas A&M made its SEC debut back in 2012, Florida was the opponent to signify a new era for the conference. Over a decade later, two new teams are entering and the Aggies and Gators will have another early season matchup.
Sept. 14 should be a tone-setter for both programs, with both head coaches looking to make a point. Billy Napier wants to prove Florida is back on the right track, while Mike Elko is likely making his SEC head coaching debut.
Tennessee at Oklahoma – Sept. 21
After an incredible home-and-home series a few years ago, Oklahoma and Tennessee have a tiebreaker of sorts in Norman. In what should be the first-ever SEC matchup for the Sooners, it’s setting up to be a doozy.
Vols head coach Josh Heupel will be back where he played his college ball, leading Oklahoma to a national championship back in 2000. Plenty of storylines are set to come out of the Sept. 21 showdown.
Alabama at Tennessee – Oct. 19
The Third Saturday in October will be played on its traditional date, with Alabama and Tennessee fighting for the right to smoke cigars. Unfortunately, with future scheduling unknown, this could be the end of the rivalry on an annual basis.
Nick Saban will be looking for revenge in Knoxville, suffering his first-ever loss to the Vols back in 2022. Neyland Stadium will surely remember the magic from that game though, hoping to pull another one over Alabama.
Georgia at Texas – Oct. 19
Best friends Bevo and Uga have the opportunity to reconnect in Austin on Oct. 19. Last seen together in New Orleans around New Year’s 2018, Bevo would be playing host this go-round.
Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium has been lively in the past when SEC teams roll into town. While now a majority of opponents will be from the conference, none are bigger on the 2024 schedule than Georgia.
LSU at Texas A&M – Oct. 26
For years, LSU and Texas A&M were Thanksgiving weekend opponents. But with Texas entering the SEC, the Aggies will go back to playing their in-state foes and force this contest up the calendar.
Reportedly, the SEC has settled on a late October date, at least for the time being. College Station will play host, being one of the many high-intensity games Kyle Field hosts in 2024.
Alabama at LSU – Nov. 9
For years, Alabama and LSU was the game in the SEC West. While divisions might not be around anymore, it’s still going to be a big deal when these two meet.
Nov. 9 is a week later than the usual spot, traditionally being the first weekend of the month. Folks in Baton Rouge will not care too much, hoping Brian Kelly gets another big win over Saban.
Texas at Arkansas – Nov. 16
An old Southwest Conference rivalry is now an SEC rivalry, with Arkansas and Texas once again being in the same conference. The first matchup will take place in Fayetteville but the two could become annual opponents if the SEC adopts the 6+3 scheduling model.
Steve Sarkisian and Sam Pittman have already faced one another, with Arkansas winning during a 2021 nonconference battle. Texas will be seeking revenge and wanting to officially rekick the rivalry off in impressive fashion.
Alabama at Oklahoma – Nov. 23
What do we need to call this one? Maybe the Jalen Hurts Bowl? Winner gets to officially claim the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback as their own, ending what has been a few years of debate between the two programs.
The later date stands out with this one, taking place in the penultimate weekend of the regular season. Alabama will almost assuredly face Auburn the following week in the Iron Bowl, while Oklahoma’s opponent is TBD. There will be no opportunity to look ahead though, with two college football blue bloods meeting in Norman.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has not officially announced when the SEC will release the entire 2024 schedule quite yet. For now, the assumption is sometime in December once conference championship games are wrapped up.