The Southeastern Conference proudly boasts the slogan “It just means more.”
Each college football season, teams within the 14-member alliance set out to prove why the league—one that annually attracts many of the country’s most talented players—is the most dominant in the sport, with teams such as Georgia, Alabama and LSU leading the charge.
However, the mighty SEC has struggled so far this season, posting a 3-6 record against Power 5 nonconference opponents. Utah stifled Billy Napier’s Florida squad, giving the dissolving Pac-12 a victory in Week 1. The ACC entered the conversation when North Carolina secured a win against South Carolina in the Battle of the Carolinas. Florida State manhandled LSU, and Miami dominated Jimbo Fisher’s Texas A&M team.
Since 2000, only nine non-SEC teams have won or shared the college football national championship. In that timespan, Alabama has won six national championships under Nick Saban, and UGA has won the past two national titles.
However, Texas overwhelmed Alabama on Saturday, becoming the first visiting team to win by double digits at Bryant-Denny Stadium during Saban’s tenure. The league’s struggles continued when Wake Forest took care of Vanderbilt.
Mississippi State and Auburn earned narrow victories over Arizona and Cal, respectively, to salvage the SEC’s weekend.
College football pundits have taken notice of the league’s early struggles. Here’s a sampling of online observations:
The SEC is now 2-6 in non-conference Power 5 games this season.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) September 10, 2023
- Utah over Florida
- Tennessee over UVA
- UNC over S. Carolina
- FSU over LSU
- Miami over A&M
- Texas over Bama
- Wake over Vandy
- State over Arizona
Cal-Auburn is on now.
The SEC is 1-6 in games against Power 5 opponents this season...
— Jordan Crammer (@JordanCrammer) September 10, 2023
- Alabama lost to Texas
- Florida lost to Utah
- Vandy lost to Wake Forest
- South Carolina lost to UNC
- LSU lost to FSU
- Texas A&M lost to Miami
The lone SEC win over a Power 5 program is Tennessee vs. UVA.
Non-conference records vs. Power 5 opponents
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) September 11, 2023
Pac-12 6-3
ACC 4-4
Big Ten 3-3
Big 12 4-5
SEC 3-6
The last time Auburn had a better record than Alabama after Week 2 was 2001.
— Creg Stephenson the First (@CregStephenson) September 10, 2023
SEC in primetime to start the 2023 Season…
— Double BB🌟 (@BBsBigHouse1) September 4, 2023
❌Florida 11
Utah 24
❌South Carolina 17
North Carolina 31
❌LSU 17
FSU 45
It just means more??? pic.twitter.com/Ucgd2A06bA
SEC is 3-6 in games vs other Power 5 teams this season..
— DIRTY BIRD (@dirtyyybird) September 10, 2023
“It just means more”
SEC moves to 2-5 on the road/neutral site this season and drops to 1-4 against the ACC.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) September 9, 2023
Auburn, Mississippi State and Tennessee are the only SEC teams that have beaten a power 5 opponent this season.@AuburnFootball | #WarEagle
— Scott Scroggins (@ScrogginsNoggin) September 10, 2023
