SEC Weekly Preview: Rivalries Auburn-Alabama, Texas-Texas A&M, Georgia-Georgia Tech

Photo Courtesy: Auburn Athletics

By Dan D’Addona

The SEC season is in full force and this week could only be described as Rivalry Week. There are several huge rivalries that hit the pool deck this week:

Auburn vs. Alabama

The Auburn men’s and women’s swim teams have quietly swept each meet they have been a part of so far this season. But there will be nothing quiet about their meet this week. On Friday, the Tigers face rival Alabama in an in-state showdown. This rivalry is one of the best in sports and is no different in the pool. The Tigers are ranked No. 10 in both the men’s and women’s poll. The Crimson Tide, meanwhile, has surged to the No. 5 ranking in the men’s poll, while the women are No. 25. The Crimson Tide don’t have one elite swimmer. They are a team with perhaps the best depth in the nation with plenty of swimmers strong enough to make them national contenders.

Texas A&M at Texas

Claire Adams leads the No. 7 Longhorn women. Meanwhile, the Aggies have another strong team, full of depth and the women are ranked No. 14. This should be one of the best women’s dual meets of the season. Meanwhile, the Texas men face North Carolina State in a showdown.

Georgia vs. Georgia Tech then Wisconsin

On Wednesday, the defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs face Georgia Tech. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 8 this season but have started the season extremely strong after losing such a big part of the national championship team to graduation. Olivia Smoliga and company will head to Georgia Tech, the very pool that the Bulldogs dove into as a team last year after surging to the national championship. This is one of the best rivalries in the South and might be a little closer than it has been in past years.

After a one-day break, Georgia then hosts Wisconsin in an SEC-Big Ten battle. In the women’s poll, the Bulldogs are No. 8 and the Badgers are No. 13. In the men’s poll, Georgia is No. 7 and Wisconsin is No. 17. Chase Kalisz and the Bulldogs had a huge meet against Florida last week, and could step into the role of national contenders again if that kind of success continues.

Florida and Arkansas double dip

Both Florida and Arkansas face each other before competing again this week. The Gators are coming off a tough rivalry sweep at the hands of Georgia. They will face Arkansas on Thursday then face Texas A&M on Saturday. After such a tough week, the Gators need to show some improvement if they want to be a contender for the SEC title. The Razorbacks, meanwhile, will face South Carolina on Friday to conclude their two-meet week. This could be a good time for Arkansas to gain some confidence with some strong swims.

Missouri/Northwestern at Kentucky

The Kentucky and Missouri swim teams have had some stellar performances so far this season, but have also had some tough meets as a team. This head-to-head matchup will be key to gaining some ground in the strong SEC. The meet is Friday and Saturday and also includes Big Ten’s Northwestern, which is unbeaten in the women’s season.

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1anda2

7 years ago

Only the women are swimming in A&M vs Texas.