< PreviousSEC in the NFL Draft n The SEC led the nation’s conferences in NFL Draft picks for the consecutive year in 2024 with 59 selections. n For straight years, the SEC has had 50 or more players taken in the NFL Draft. Only three times in the last 29 years has another conference other than the SEC seen 50 or more players drafted. n The SEC has averaged over selections per draft since 2006. 13 THE SEC HAS WON OF THE LAST 18 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS THE SEC WON FOUR STRAIGHT CFP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, BY THREE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS (LSU, ALABAMA, GEORGIA), FROM 2019-2022. THE SEC IS HOME TO HEISMAN WINNERS 18 FANS PER GAME FOR THE 25TH STRAIGHT YEAR, THE SEC LED EVERY OTHER CONFERENCE IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL . TOTAL 2024 NFL DRAFT PICKS THE SEC HAS LED THE NATION IN NFL DRAFT PICKS SINCE 2007 Since 2006, the SEC has accrued more bowl wins (97) and appearances (152) than any other conference. 77,154 The SEC, its member institutions and sports teams are on an international stage with brand recognition in every corner of the country and around the globe. The SEC finished the 2023 season as the most-watched conference in college foot- ball based on total minutes consumed for a second-straight year. The SEC was also #1 in average audience for at least the 13th consecutive year. TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA JOINED THE SEC IN 2024BUSINESS FRIENDS WORKING FOR THE FUTURE OF KENTUCKY ROBERTSHEAVYDUTYTOWING.COM 859-294-5566 2285 MAGGARD DR, LEXINGTON, KY 40511 TOWING • RECOVERY • TRANSPORTATION www.wareinc.com Proud Fan of the Home Team Boiler: Rental, Sales and Service (800) 228-8861 www.scriptpro.com 913.384.1008 BDC@scriptpro.com 5828 Reeds Rd. Mission, KS 66202 Everything Under The Sun. EMAIL: bgentry@plumbers-supply-co.com www.plumbers-supply-co.com Barry Gentry Branch Manager OFFICE: 859-255-0700 • FAX: 859-281-1393 WATTS: 800-467-7586 Come visit our Kohler Showroom 1128 Winchester Road, Suite 100 Lexington, KY 40505 Arcadia Boiler, LLC Owner / Veteran Owned Eric.arcadiaboiler@gmail.com 102 Galehouse Rd Georgetown, KY 40324 859-553-3908 cell Eric Riddell Apply Online! mhcu.org Where banking is a snap!Southern Miss Golden Eagles August 31 n 7:45 p.m. n Lexington, Ky. n Kroger Field Game Sponsor #1 n Junior n WR Jalil CLEMONS #8 n R-Senior n JACK 2024 Schedule @Kentucky August 31 Southeastern September 7 USF September 14 @Jacksonville State September 21 Louisiana October 5 @ULM October 12 Arkansas State October 19 @James Madison October 26 Marshall November 9 @Texas State November 16 South Alabama November 23 @Troy November 30 Hall was named the 22nd head coach of Southern Miss football in December 2020. At that time he said, "Attitude was ev- erything." That attitude has provided a re- lentlessly positive approach in how he has communicated and prepared players, ele- vated the growth of every facet and en- ergized the fan base during his first three seasons in Hattiesburg. During that time, he managed to guide the school to its first bowl win since 2016. Will Hall Quick Facts Location: Hattiesburg, Miss. Head Coach: Will Hall (North Alabama, ‘03) Stadium: M.M. Roberts Stadium (36,000) Last Meeting with UK: 9/2/17 in Hattiesburg, Miss. Kentucky 24, Southern Miss 17 2023 Record: 3-9 Overall; 2-6 Sun Belt Base Offense/Defense: Multiple/Multiple Offensive Starters Returning/Lost: 3/8 Defensive Starters Returning/Lost: 5/6 100 @UKFootball Players to Watch Tiaquelin MIMSSouth Carolina Gamecocks September 7 n 3:30 p.m. n Lexington, Ky. n Kroger Field Players to Watch #16 n R-Freshman n QB LaNorris SELLERS Debo WILLIAMS #0 n R-Senior n LB 2024 Schedule Old Dominion August 31 @Kentucky September 7 LSU September 14 Akron September 21 Ole Miss October 5 @Alabama October 12 @Oklahoma October 19 Texas A&M November 2 @Vanderbilt November 9 Missouri November 16 Wofford November 23 @Clemson November 30 Shane Beamer is in his fourth season leading the South Carolina program in 2024. Beamer owns a 20-18 mark through three seasons in Columbia. During his tenure he has posted victories over three coaches who have won national championships – Jimbo Fisher, Dabo Swinney and Mack Brown. Last season South Carolina was chal- lenged by one of the toughest schedules in the FBS. The 2023 Gamecocks finished the campaign with a 5-7 overall mark. Shane Beamer Quick Facts Location: Columbia, S.C. Head Coach: Shane Beamer (Virginia Tech, ‘99) Stadium: Williams-Brice Stadium (77,559) Last Meeting with UK: 11/18/23 in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina 17, Kentucky 14 2023 Record: 5-7 Overall; 3-5 SEC Base Offense/Defense: One-Back/ Flex-Nickel Offensive Starters Returning/Lost: 5/6 Defensive Starters Returning/Lost: 8/3 Game Sponsor @UKSportsNetwork 101Georgia Bulldogs September 14 n 7:30 p.m. n Lexington, Ky. n Kroger Field Players to Watch #15 n Senior n QB Carson BECK Malaki STARKS #24 n Junior n DB 2024 Schedule Clemson (Atlanta, Ga.) August 31 Tennessee Tech September 7 @Kentucky September 14 @Alabama September 28 Auburn October 5 Mississippi State October 12 @Texas October 19 Florida (Jacksonville, Fla.) November 2 @Ole Miss November 9 Tennessee November 16 UMass November 23 Georgia Tech November 29 Back-to-back national College Football Championship titles (2021, '22), a 2017 CFP title game appearance, seven New Year's Six Bowl games, SEC Championships in 2017 and 2022, six SEC Eastern Division titles and six bowl victories are more than respectable awards over an eight-year period. That's what UGA got when it hired former Bulldog player Kirby Smart as head coach in 2015. Entering the 2024 season, the 'Dogs boast a 46-2 record in the last 48 games. Kirby Smart Quick Facts Location: Athens, Ga. Head Coach: Kirby Smart (Georgia, ‘98) Stadium: Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium (92,746) Last Meeting with UK: 10/7/23 in Athens, Ga. Georgia 51, Kentucky 13 2023 Record: 13-1 Overall; 8-0 SEC 2023 Final Rankings: 6 CFP/4 AP/ 3 AFCA Coaches Base Offense/Defense: Multiple/Multiple Offensive Starters Returning/Lost: 8/3 Defensive Starters Returning/Lost: 8/3 102 @UKFootball Game SponsorOhio Bobcats September 21 n 12:45 p.m. n Lexington, Ky. n Kroger Field Players to Watch #13 n Graduate n QB Parker NAVARRO Jeremiah WOOD #3 n Graduate n S 2024 Schedule @Syracuse August 31 South Alabama September 7 Morgan State September 14 @Kentucky September 21 Akron September 28 @Central Michigan October 12 @Miami (Ohio) October 19 Buffalo October 26 @Kent State November 6 Eastern Michigan November 13 @Toledo November 20 Ball State November 29 Albin enters his fourth season as head coach of Ohio football after being pro- moted to head coach on July 15, 2021. Albin joined the Ohio Football coaching staff as offensive coordinator on Jan. 4, 2005. With the Bobcats’ 41-21 victory over Georgia Southern in the 2023 Myrtle Beach Bowl, Albin led Ohio to consec- utive 10-win seasons for the first time in school history. Tim Albin Quick Facts Location: Athens, Ohio Head Coach: Tim Albin (Northwestern Oklahoma State, ‘89) Stadium: Frank Solich Field at Peden Stadium (24,000) Last Meeting with UK: 9/6/14 in Lexington, Ky. Kentucky 20, Ohio 3 2023 Record: 10-3 Overall; 6-2 MAC Offensive Starters Returning/Lost: 2/10 Defensive Starters Returning/Lost: 5/9 Game Sponsor @UKSportsNetwork 103Ole Miss Rebels September 28 n Noon n Oxford, Miss. n Vaught-Hemingway Stadium Players to Watch #2 n Senior n QB Jaxson DART Trey WASHINGTON #25 n Senior n Safety 2024 Schedule Furman August 31 Middle Tennessee September 7 @Wake Forest September 14 Georgia Southern September 21 Kentucky September 28 @South Carolina October 5 @LSU October 12 Oklahoma October 26 @Arkansas November 2 Georgia November 9 @Florida November 23 Mississippi State November 30 Lane Kiffin is in his fifth season at Ole Miss and has led the Rebels to four con- secutive bowl berths, including two New Year’s Six appearances. In 11 years at the NCAA level, Kiffin has posted an all-time record of 95-49, including a 34-15 mark at Ole Miss. Kiffin led the 2023 Rebels to the best season in Ole Miss history in terms of wins, notching an 11-2 overall record capped by a 38-25 Peach Bowl victory. Lane Kiffin Quick Facts Location: Oxford, Miss. Head Coach: Lane Kiffin (Fresno State, ‘98) Stadium: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (64,038) Last Meeting with UK: 10/1/22 in Oxford, Miss. Ole Miss 22, Kentucky 19 2023 Final Rankings: 11 CFP/9 AP/ 9 AFCA Coaches 2023 Record: 11-2 Overall; 6-2 SEC Base Offense/Defense: Spread/Multiple Offensive Starters Returning/Lost: 7/4 Defensive Starters Returning/Lost: 6/5 104 @UKFootballVanderbilt Commodores October 12 n TBA n Lexington, Ky. n Kroger Field Players to Watch #28 n Sophomore n RB Sedrick ALEXANDER CJ TAYLOR #1 n Senior n S 2024 Schedule Virginia Tech August 31 Alcorn State September 7 @Georgia State September 14 @Missouri September 21 Alabama October 5 @Kentucky October 12 Ball State October 19 Texas October 26 @Auburn November 2 South Carolina November 9 @LSU November 23 Tennessee November 30 Entering his fourth season at his alma mater, Clark Lea's Commodores saw flash- es of the Vanderbilt football identity last season that Lea continues building. In 2024, Lea will assume defensive co- ordinator responsibilities as well. Off the gridiron, success continued in the classroom, as a school-record five players earned Academic All-District hon- ors from College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA). Clark Lea Quick Facts Location: Nashville, Tenn. Head Coach: Clark Lea (Vanderbilt, ‘04) Stadium: FirstBank Stadium Last Meeting with UK: 9/23/23 in Nashville, Tenn. Kentucky 45, Vanderbilt 28 2023 Record: 2-10 Overall; 0-8 SEC Base Offense/Defense: Multiple/4-2-5 Offensive Starters Returning/Lost: 5/6 Defensive Starters Returning/Lost: 6/5 Game Sponsor @UKSportsNetwork 105Florida Gators October 19 n TBA n Gainesville, Fla. n Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Players to Watch #3 n Sophomore n WR Eugene WILSON III Shemar JAMES #6 n Junior n ILB 2024 Schedule Miami August 31 Samford September 7 Texas A&M September 14 @Mississippi State September 21 UCF October 5 @Tennessee October 12 Kentucky October 19 Georgia (Jacksonville, Fla.) November 2 @Texas November 9 LSU November 16 Ole Miss November 23 @Florida State November 30 Billy Napier enters his third season with the Gators after being named the 29th head coach in program history on Nov. 28, 2021. In his second season at the helm, Na- pier helped transform transfer quarterback Graham Mertz’s career and led a youthful Gators roster highlighted by Jordan Castell and Eugene Wilson III while becoming the 12th FBS head coach to win 51 games since 2018. Billy Napier Quick Facts Location: Gainesville, Fla. Head Coach: Billy Napier (Furman, ‘02) Stadium: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548) Last Meeting with UK: 9/30/23 in Lexington, Ky. Kentucky 33, Florida 14 2023 Record: 5-7 Overall; 3-5 SEC Base Offense/Defense: Spread/3-4 Offensive Starters Returning/Lost: 8/3 Defensive Starters Returning/Lost: 6/5 106 @UKFootballAuburn Tigers October 26 n TBA n Lexington, KY. n Kroger Field Players to Watch #1 n Senior n QB Payton THORNE Eugene ASANTE #9 n Senior n LB 2024 Schedule Alabama A&M August 31 California September 7 New Mexico September 14 Arkansas September 21 Oklahoma September 28 @Georgia October 5 @Missouri October 19 @Kentucky October 26 Vanderbilt November 2 ULM November 16 Texas A&M November 23 @Alabama November 30 Hugh Freeze was named the 31st head football coach in Auburn's 129-year histo- ry on Nov. 28, 2022. An experienced head coach at the collegiate level for 12 years, Freeze has quickly elevated each program he's led, including Ole Miss and most re- cently, Liberty. The head coach at Liberty from 2019-22, Freeze led the Flames to four bowl games and a 34-15 record. Entering 2024, his on- field coaching record in 12 years is 103-47. Hugh Freeze Quick Facts Location: Auburn, Ala. Head Coach: Hugh Freeze (Southern Miss, ‘92) Stadium: Jordan-Hare Stadium (88,043) Last Meeting with UK: 9/26/20 in Auburn, Ala. Auburn 29, Kentucky 13 2023 Record: 6-7 Overall; 3-5 SEC Base Offense/Defense: Spread/Multiple Offensive Starters Returning/Lost: 6/5 Defensive Starters Returning/Lost: 5/6 Game Sponsor @UKSportsNetwork 107Next >