The addition of Oklahoma and Texas to the SEC could potentially alter SEC football rivalries significantly, particularly impacting teams like the Alabama Crimson Tide.
In July, the SEC officially becomes a 16-team league with the addition of the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners, which is expected to reshape not only SEC football but also other sports within the conference.
One of the most discussed topics is how SEC football rivalries will evolve, especially since future scheduling beyond the 2025 season has yet to be determined. New rivalries could emerge rapidly. In the upcoming 2024 season, at least one historic rivalry will be reignited: on November 30th, the Longhorns will travel to College Station to face the Aggies. This matchup holds significant historical weight, with the teams having played each other 118 times in football, though they haven’t met since 2011. An interesting fact about their series is that between 1900 and 1909, they faced off twice in a single season on six occasions.
Alabama Crimson Tide football has historically cherished rivalries with Auburn, Tennessee, and LSU, with the Georgia Bulldogs rapidly gaining similar status. While some argue that the Bama vs. LSU rivalry owes its prominence solely to Nick Saban, its roots go much deeper. Dating back to their first encounter in 1895, except for a brief hiatus from 1958 to 1964, these teams have clashed nearly every season since 1944. Alabama’s significant lead in the series, currently standing at 56-27-5, stems not just from Saban’s era but also from Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant’s dominance over Charlie ‘Cholly Mac’ McClendon’s LSU teams, dating back to Bryant’s tenure.
For many Alabama fans, Auburn and Tennessee are enduring rivals. The Crimson Tide has faced Tennessee 106 times since 1901 and Auburn 88 times. Despite the intensity of the modern rivalry with Auburn, tensions were even higher in the early 20th century. A dispute over fan behavior and financial terms led to a hiatus in their meetings from 1907 until 1948, when legislative intervention was needed to resume the annual game.
It’s conceivable that changes in SEC football scheduling could potentially disrupt at least one annual rivalry game for the Crimson Tide. While the Auburn rivalry seems secure, contests against Tennessee, LSU, or possibly both could face scheduling challenges.
Additionally, new rivalries could emerge for Alabama football. Historical records show that Alabama has some unfinished business with both Texas and Oklahoma. The Tide holds a losing record against the Sooners at 2-3-1 and an even poorer record against Texas at 2-8-1. Their upcoming matchup on November 23rd in Norman could potentially sow the seeds for a new rivalry for the Alabama Crimson Tide.