5 Games to Circle on the 2014 SEC Schedule

After much anticipation, the SEC released its 2014 football schedule on Wednesday. The conference decided to keep its 6-1-1 format: six interdivisional games, one permanent game against the other division, and one rotating game against the other division for each team. There was some talk of changing the format this year, but ultimately the conference decided to keep things the same for now.

There are two new cross-divisional series this year: Arkansas vs. Missouri and Texas A&M vs. South Carolina. 2014 of course also marks the premiere of the SEC Network, with the first televised game set to take place on August 28th.

Texas A&M will also continue its traditional Thanksgiving night game with LSU. The two schools have battled each of the past two years, but prior to that they hadn't faced off since 1995. With this new announcement, chances are good that the tradition will continue in the future.

While it's incredibly difficult to know what the exact states of these schools will be more than a year from now, it's safe to assume that most of them will still be really good. We're talking about the SEC, the undeniable top conference in college football.

With all of that in mind, let's take a look at some of the most notable games on the 2014 SEC schedule:

Aug. 28 - Texas A&M at South Carolina

This will be first game of the 2014 SEC season and the first game ever televised on the SEC Network. Both teams figure to be coming off good seasons in 2013 and you know that the Old Ball Coach will have his team jacked up for the season and home-opener. This game also marks the start of what should be a great new rivalry.

Sept. 20 - Florida at Alabama

This game should be the top game on the 2014 slate of cross-divisional games. The Gators will head to Tuscaloosa to take on Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide in a battle of classic college football teams. Florida could very well be back to the top of the rankings by then and Alabama could be on the road to a fourth straight national championship.

Nov. 1 - Florida vs. Georgia (Jacksonville)

This classic game is always must-see SEC football. Two of the game's best fan bases will meet in Jacksonville for the annual battle, which could feature two teams fighting for the national championship.

Nov. 8 - Alabama at LSU

It doesn't get a whole lot bigger than a late-season showdown between Alabama and LSU from Baton Rouge. The two legendary schools will clash in a game that could very well decide the West Division once again.

Nov. 29 - Arkansas at Missouri

In the other new cross-divisional rivalry game, Arkansas will travel to take on Missouri. Geographically, this rivalry makes a ton of sense. It's only five hours north for the Razorbacks to get to Columbia, and vice versa. Right now both teams are trying to fight their way to the top of the conference, but regardless of where they sit in the standings, this should be a great new annual game for the SEC.