BTI's Rants and Ramblings: UK's Non-Conference Scheduling Compared to SEC

[caption id="attachment_166753" align="alignnone" width="300"] Mark Zerof | US Presswire[/caption] The fact of the matter is that the SEC has developed a reputation in football of having teams with creampuff non-conference schedules.  And it's pretty much deserved for most of the league.  Of course SEC fan will argue there is no reason to challenge yourself in the non-conference if the conference is that strong.  But frankly UK hasn't even attempted to challenge itself, outside of Louisville, for a very long time.  Do you realize that UK has not played a non-conference game against a BCS opponent not named Louisville since 2005 (Indiana).  They haven't played a non-conference opponent not named UL or Indiana since 1990 (North Carolina).   That's not really pushing yourself much.  And maybe many of you don't care.  But I'd just like to see the schedule beefed up a little for enjoyment and to see where this program stands. So who in the SEC schedules the hardest in the non-conference?  My rankings are below.  I took into account games schedule outside of normal rivalries, willingness to play true road games, and consistency playing tough opponents. 1. GEORGIA 2015: at Georgia Tech 2014: #16 Clemson, #16 Georgia Tech 2013: at #8 Clemson, at Georgia Tech 2012: Georgia Tech 2011: #5 Boise State (neutral), at #25 Georgia Tech 2. TENNESSEE 2015: Oklahoma 2014: at #4 Oklahoma 2013: at #3 Oregon 2012: NC State (neutral) 2011: Cincinnati 3. ALABAMA 2015: Wisconsin (neutral) 2014: West Virginia (neutral) 2013: Virginia Tech (neutral) 2012: #8 Michigan (neutal) 2011: at Penn State  4. LSU 2015: at Syracuse 2014: #14 Wisconsin (neutral) 2013: #20 TCU (neutral) 2012: Washington 2011: Oregon (neutral), at West Virginia  5. SOUTH CAROLINA 2015: North Carolina (neutral), Clemson 2014: at #21 Clemson 2013: North Carolina, #8 Clemson 2012: at #12 Clemson 2011: Clemson  6. AUBURN 2015: Louisville (neutral) 2014: at Kansas St 2013: Washington St. 2012: #14 Clemson (neutral) 2011: at Clemson      7. FLORIDA 2015: Florida St 2014: at #3 Florida St, 2013: at Miami (FL), #12 Florida St 2012: at #10 Florida State 2011: Florida State  8. OLE MISS 2015: None 2014: Boise St (neutral) 2013: at #15 Texas 2012: #14 Texas 2011: BYU 9. MISSOURI 2015: BYU (neutral) 2014: Indiana 2013: at Indiana 2012: Arizona State, Syracuse 2011: at Arizona State 10. ARKANSAS 2015: Texas Tech 2014: at Texas Tech 2013: at Rutgers 2012: Rutgers 2011: Texas A&M (neutral)   11. KENTUCKY 2015: Louisville 2014: at Louisville 2013: Louisville 2012: at #25 Louisville 2011: Louisville 12.VANDERBILT 2015: None 2014: None 2013: Wake Forest 2012: Wake Forest 2011: UCONN, at Wake Forest    13. TEXAS A&M 2015: Arizona State (neutral) 2014: None 2013: None 2012: None 2011: Arkansas (neutral) 14. MISSISSIPPI STATE 2015: None 2014: None 2013: #14 Oklahoma St (neutral) 2012: None 2011: None