In the United States, the Southeastern Conference, or SEC, is one of the largest athletic conferences. A total of 14 universities are members, primarily located in the south central and southeast regions of the United States. NCAA Division I sports competitions are played at these universities, including the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the highest level of college football in the country.
In college football, here is a complete breakdown of the SEC.
Table of Contents
Which Schools are in the SEC?
Ten universities were the original members of the SEC in 1933:
- Alabama University
- University of Auburn
- Florida University
- Georgia University
- University of Vanderbilt
- Kentucky University
- LSU (Louisiana State University)
- Mississippi University
- University of Mississippi
- Tennessee University
A total of 14 teams have been added to the list since then.
Conference Expansions
- In 1991, the University of Arkansas and the University of South Carolina merged
- During the realignment of the Southeastern Conference in 2010–12, the University of Missouri and Texas A&M University were realigned
What is the Largest SEC School?
SEC’s largest school is Texas A&M University, which has the largest undergraduate student body. More than 13,000 students separate it from the second-largest school, the University of Florida. Aggies is the nickname for Texas A&M’s football team, and the university stadiums are always packed with fans.
A&M’s all-time record against all teams is 766-491-48 as of December 2021. Despite losing a single college football playoff game, they have the highest win percentage against South Carolina and Vanderbilt.
What is the Smallest SEC School?
In the conference, Vanderbilt University is the smallest and most selective school. The only private university in the SEC, it is renowned for its law, medicine, and business programs.
Vanderbilt University enrolls 6,800 undergraduate students compared to Texas A&M’s 47,000 undergraduates. Vanderbilt University has about 10,000 more students than Mississippi State University, the second-smallest school.
In December 2021, Vanderbilt’s ‘Commodores’ had a record of 611-648-50 against the current teams.
Who is the SEC Commissioner?
Since June 2015, Greg Sankey has served as SEC commissioner. The previous commissioner was Michael Silve, who served from 2002 to 2015. Roy F. Kramer was the commission’s chairman from 1990 to 2001. The first SEC commission was appointed by Martin S. Conner in 1940.
How Successful is the SEC with Championships?
Between 2003 and 2013, the SEC won 86 NCAA national championships in 21 different sports, including seven straight Bowl Championship Series (BCS) football titles.
There are nine SEC programs that win at least one national title every season, and the SEC is also home to the most NFL scouts for college football.
How Do Rankings Work in the SEC?
The rankings for college football teams are updated weekly during the season based largely on their performance record against other teams. Football experts such as athletic directors, former NCAA members, and former head coaches select these rankings positions. To qualify for a divisional game or to compete in the SEC championship game, each member football team must play all eight conference games.
As a result, the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings determine which teams qualify for the playoffs. CFP replaced the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) during the 2014 football season.
What is the Main Difference Between SEC and Big 12 Football?
There are two dominant conferences in American college football, the Southeastern Conference and the Big 12.
Since 1994, the Big 12 has expanded to include four Texas colleges that were originally members of the Southwest Conference. Among the top three football teams in the Big 12 are the University of Oklahoma’s Sooners, the University of Texas’s Longhorns, and Texas Tech University’s Red Raiders. In 2025, the Sooners and Longhorns will join the Southeastern Conference.
As a result, the SEC is known for its defense strategies, but its top teams maintain a balance between offense and defense. Big 12 HQ is in Irving, Texas, and is a union of the Big 8 conference with the four major colleges from the Southwest Conference. The SEC member institutions are primarily in the South Central and South-Eastern regions of the country.
What is the Difference Between SEC and NCAA?
Intercollegiate athletics is integrated into higher education by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Student-athletes from over 1,200 American universities are regulated by this non-profit organization. Additionally, it organizes athletic programs for students in the US and Canada, including football programs.
A conference like the SEC or Big 12 is a member of the NCAA, and competes in it as well.
How Many Divisions Does NCAA Have?
There are three divisions in the NCAA: Division 1, Division 2, and Division 3. For example, the three divisions categorize colleges according to their size and budget. These three divisions began in 1973 and aligned like-minded schools in fair competition and opportunities.
The Breakdown of Division 1 in College Football
Furthermore, Division 1 is divided into two subdivisions, the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) and the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision). In the NCAA, both the SEC and Big 12 compete in Division 1 competitions.
Conclusion: What Does SEC Mean in College Football?
As a result, the Southeastern Conference is one of the biggest and most formidable in college football. Through the NFL draft, 512 players from the SEC have joined the league. Moreover, 65 draft picks came from the SEC in 2021, a new record.
Last but not least, the SEC consistently produces the best on-field results in college football. SEC football, basketball, and baseball games and tournaments can be found on ESPN. If you are fortunate enough to be able to attend a football game in person, you will not be disappointed!