SEC Games You Don’t Want to Miss for 2012

Clear Your Schedule for these Games

The 2012 college football season is just around the corner, and fans across the country are counting down to kick-off.

The SEC is the defending 6-time national champions, and with two of the consensus top three teams coming into the season (LSU and Alabama), and the most teams ranked preseason of any conference, it is sure to be another wild ride.

Here are the games you don't want to miss for 2012. Let us know what your top games are in the comments below.

Honorable Mentions

These games just missed the cut, but are sure to be full of excitement, and will most definitely impact the national landscape.

Oct 20, South Carolina at Florida

The Gamecocks only beat the Gators by five last season and they go to the Swamp this year in a pivotal SEC East match.

Sept 1, Alabama vs Michigan

Not an SEC game, but it is the most important non-conference game for the national prestige of the conference.

Nov 10, Arkansas at South Carolina

This is another significant cross division conference game. Arkansas defeated South Carolina last season 44-28.

Nov 10, Georgia at Auburn

The Deep South's Oldest Rivalry is always worth mentioning, but hopefully it is closer than the Bulldogs thumping of the Tigers last season.

Nov 24, Mississippi State at Ole Miss

With few winnable games in conference, the Bulldogs need to continue the dominance of the Egg Bowl.

10. Sept 15, Florida at Tennessee

The Gators defeated the Volunteers last season 33-23 in this once meaningful rivalry. The Vols have now lost seven in a row to the Gators.

Whether it is Muschamp or Dooley, the coach's seat is likely to get much warmer for whoever loses here. Tennessee lost every rivalry game in 2011, even against Kentucky, so they need this home win desperately to become relevant again.

9. Sept 8, Florida at Texas A&M

The Aggies are already rivals with Arkansas and LSU, but are 0-5 versus SEC teams since 2009. Texas A&M will have the 12th man on their side in the opener against the Gators, but if this game turns out bad, it could be a long season.

8. Sept 8, Georgia at Missouri

The Tigers' inaugural game for the SEC comes against a top 10 opponent in the Bulldogs. Mizzou is 4-0 versus SEC teams since 2005 and has won 77 percent of their games at home since 2002. The Zou will definitely be wild with excitement.

7. Nov 24, Auburn at Alabama

The Iron Bowl is possibly the most historic rivalry in the SEC. The winner of this game has won the BCS national championship the past three seasons. The Crimson Tide should be a heavy favorite over the Tigers, but the heated intensity of the in-state rivalry always makes it worth watching.

6. Oct 27, Georgia vs Florida

The World's Largest Cocktail Party is a long lived rivalry. The Bulldogs have the better overall series record and defeated the Gators last season after losing three years in a row. Florida is expected to be improved so this could be a game to decide the East division champion.

5. Oct 13, South Carolina at LSU

This is the top cross division game on the SEC schedule. Coach Steve Spurrier would rather “be playing Ole Miss", but in 2012 his team plays number one LSU. The last time the Gamecocks faced the Tigers was in a 24-17 loss back in 2008.

4. Sept 15, Alabama at Arkansas

The last time Alabama played in Fayetteville, the Tide beat the Razorbacks in a close game, 24-20. This is an important conference opener for both teams that could help determine the pathway in the West to the SEC Championship.

3. Oct 6, Georgia at South Carolina

The Gamecocks defeated the Bulldogs the past two seasons, but Georgia has dominated the series overall. As of now, this is the most important game in the SEC East with Georgia ranked six and South Carolina ranked nine in the Coaches Poll.

2. Nov 23, LSU at Arkansas

The Battle for the Golden Boot may be one of the more overlooked rivalries in the SEC, but this will be a crucial end of season game for the SEC West. The Hogs have won the last two at home against the Tigers and three out of the last five games.

1. Nov 3, Alabama at LSU

These bitter rivals faced each other twice last season, with the Crimson Tide getting the best of the Tigers 21-0 in the BCS National Championship. This game could have both conference and national championship implications. The Bayou Bengals are 62-8 at home since 2002 so expect Death Valley to be rocking for revenge.