SEC vs ACC Football

2009 SEC vs ACC Football: Well, after week 1, the SEC is up 2-0 with Bama's win over Va. Tech and South Carolina's win at NC State. Of course it seems almost every ACC team lost in the first week. Wow, the ACC is looking down...again. It's a long season though.

The SEC vs ACC football rivalry has dramatically increased in recent years. Obviously, the two conferences are close to each other geographically. [Maybe why they have played WAY more games against each other than with any other conference.] In fact, they overlap each other in certain states. For instance, South Carolina has Clemson University (ACC) and the University of South Carolina (SEC). Georgia has the University of Georgia (SEC) and Georgia Tech (ACC). Florida has the University of Florida (SEC) and Miami (ACC) and Florida State (ACC).

Those intra-state rivalries are some of the best rivalries in college football. The geographic proximity of the two conferences causes natural competition for the same athletes, fans, and media.

Also, there were some hard feelings when Florida State decided to join the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), rather than the Southeastern Conference (SEC). There are many theories for why they chose the ACC (personally I think they chose the ACC so they could dominate the previously, generally, weak ACC football programs) -- but anyway, it left a bad taste in the mouths of some SEC fans.

But, most importantly, the SEC vs ACC football rivalry has increased because ACC football has improved. The ACC used to be primarily a basketball conference with sleepy football programs. But, the recent additions of Miami, Florida State, Virginia Tech and Boston College have turned the ACC into a true college football power.

In fact, in 2008, the ACC probably had more "Top 50" teams than any other conference. The ACC tied the SEC with most teams picked for bowl games last year -- 8. However, the ACC lost 6 of the 8 bowl games it played in.

But, the final big stat relevant to the SEC vs ACC rivalry is that the ACC was the only conference in 2008 to beat the SEC in head to head competition. Despite going 0-2 vs the SEC in bowl games, the ACC still managed to take 6 of 10 games between the two conferences in 2008.

Here are the teams that make up the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Boston College Eagles

Clemson University Tigers

Duke University Blue Devils

Florida State University Seminoles

Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) Yellow Jackets

University of Maryland Terrapins

Wake Forest University Demon Deacons

University of Miami Hurricanes

University of North Carolina Tar Heels

North Carolina State University Wolfpack

University of Virginia Cavaliers, and

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) Hokies

We rank the ACC as the 3rd best college football conference (behind the SEC and Big Ten). We do this because the ACC simply lacks the history and tradition of the other major football conferences. And that is really important.

But, ACC football is certainly improving. The ACC has 2 of the 3 big college schools in talent-rich Florida and ACC schools have better media access and coverage along the population-rich East (Atlantic) Coast. People and money will continue to strengthen ACC sports, including football.

Despite a down year in 2006, ACC football will challenge the SEC for college football supremacy in the years to come. [However, the ACC will never dominate its markets as the SEC does and thus will never pass SEC football up – IMHO.]

So, what is the SEC vs ACC football all-time, head-to-head, football record? Here you go (updated through the 2008 season):

The SEC holds an 255-123-10 (.670) all-time advantage.

In the past 11 years (1998-2008) the SEC leads the ACC in head-to-head games with a 45-36-0 (.556) record.

For details of how we arrived at the above numbers, go to SEC vs Big Ten Football.

Those stats are based on "historical conference affiliation." Based on "current conference affiliation" the all-time SEC vs ACC football numbers are: 730-576-52 (.538).

If you'd like to see how the SEC and ACC compare in bowl wins, go to Top College Football Bowl Conference.

SEC vs ACC Football
SEC vs ACC Football
SEC vs ACC Football

What do you think?

We'd love to hear your comments and/or opinions. If you submit them here, other visitors can read them, rate them and comment on them. An e-mail address is not required.

Enter Your Title

Your comments go here. [ ? ]

Upload A Picture (optional) [ ? ]

Add Picture Caption (optional)

Author Information (optional)

To receive credit as the author, enter your information below.

Your Name	(first or full name)
Your Location	(ex. City, State, Country)

Submit Your Contribution

Check box to agree to these submission guidelines.

(You can preview and edit on the next page)

What Other Visitors Have Said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

ACC Deserves More Respect
I have an arbitrary way for determining at least ONE of the teams (maybe BOTH) playing for the Championship:

The champion from the league with the MOST ...

2008 ACC vs. SEC Football
Now that the season is over (with exception of the conference championship games), what was the final outcome head-to-head?

Editor's Note: Not ...

ACC Still a Better Conference?
ACC vs SEC has never been better at showcasing their talents than in a BCS bowl game.

If determining what conference is better by regular season play,...

SEC is the Best
The SEC is the best conference out there and I'm sick of ACC fans thinking otherwise.

Awesome baby! Not rated yet
Very informative. Keep up the good work. Thanks!

SEC and ACC: It's all southern football Not rated yet
As an FSU grad from Alabama, I've got to thank you for giving the ACC some respect, unlike so many of your ignorant SEC comrades.

The SEC is still ...

ACC is Better All-Around League Not rated yet
SEC football is tops, but the ACC is a better all-around league in every other aspect, especially academics. FSU made the right choice in the early 90'...

ACC Football Better Than SEC Football Overall in 2008 Not rated yet
You need to update this, because this year the ACC dominated... The history doesn't matter if the other teams are beating you.

THe absolute worst team ...

What have you done for me lately? Not rated yet
We live in a world where what you have done in the most recent past is all that matters. The ACC had a winning record over the SEC this year. One could ...

ACC 3rd best conference? Not rated yet
The Pac 10, The Big 12, The SEC, The Big 10, The Big East and maybe even some other conferences are better than the ACC!

Virginia Tech and Boston College ...

SEC vs Big Ten Football SEC vs Big 12 Football SEC vs Pac-10 Football SEC vs Big East Football SEC vs Ivy League Football SEC vs Big Ten Debate Best SEC Sports College Top College Fan Attendance Conference Best College Basketball Conference Best All-Time NCAA College Football Coach Best All-Time NCAA College Football Player Best All-Time NCAA College Football Program Best All-Time NCAA College Football Team Biggest All-Time College Football Rivalry Most All-Time College Football Rankings Top College Football Bowl Conference Top All-Time College Football Conference Record Top All-Time NCAA College Football National Championship Conference Top College Football Fan Attendance Conference Top College Football Revenue Conference

Return to Home Page About Us | Contact Us | Site Search |

footer for Alabama Crimson Tide Apparel page