The SEC will be stronger than ever this season thanks to the additions of powerhouse programs Texas and Oklahoma.
When the news originally broke a few years ago, it was almost hard to believe the Longhorns and Sooners joining the already-loaded conference. Yet that much-anticipated reality is finally upon us.
At SEC Media Days in Dallas, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart admitted the harsh reality of having to share a conference with the two prestigious powers.
“When Texas and Oklahoma came into the conference, every schedule was going to get harder,” Smart said.
The expanded SEC will quickly test Smart’s Bulldogs, who are scheduled to face the Longhorns in Austin on October 19.
Speaking to Orangebloods, Smart expressed his admiration for Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and his program.
“I have a ton of respect for Sark and the job he does,” Smart said. “We watched them play last year against several common opponents and in the playoffs. They have a tremendous recruiting base and excel in recruitment, including NIL.”
Smart, a two-time national champion, believes Texas is well-equipped to compete in the SEC.
“They’re a big, physical football team,” he continued. “They’re built like an SEC football team, so we’re looking forward to playing them … It will be a tremendous matchup.”
While Georgia won’t face Oklahoma this season, the Sooners have a challenging schedule ahead, featuring games against Tennessee, Ole Miss, Missouri, Alabama, and LSU in their debut SEC season.
According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, the SEC is home to the eight teams with the toughest schedules this season.
Only Florida and Mississippi State have a more difficult path than Georgia, which will also travel to Tuscaloosa and Oxford after starting the season with a non-conference showdown against Clemson.
Now that we’ve had plenty of time to digest it, what are your thoughts on Texas and Oklahoma officially joining the SEC?
Will both be able to adjust quickly to the significant bump in competition?
Are you buying the hype in Texas this season? … Are they a better team than Georgia and/or Ohio State?
In the bigger picture, which program – Texas or Oklahoma – is more valuable to the SEC???
