SEC vs ACC Football

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.

The SEC went 5-2 vs the ACC in 2011 - 2012. 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 2011 season):

The SEC holds an 268-132-10 (.666) all-time advantage.

In the past 13 years (1998-2011) the SEC leads the ACC in head-to-head games with a 58-45-0 (.563) record. Last season (2011-2012), the SEC went 5-2 vs the ACC.

For details of how we arrived at the above numbers (we start in 1932 when the SEC was formed), 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 going back to the beginning (before 1932) are: 875-705-72 (.551) as documented at end of SEC vs Everyone.

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

ACC team Fan Apparel and Merchandise:

• Boston College Eagles Fan Apparel and Merchandise
• Clemson Tigers Fan Apparel and Merchandise
• Duke Blue Devils Fan Apparel and Merchandise
• Florida State Seminoles Fan Apparel and Merchandise
• GA Tech Yellow Jackets Fan Apparel and Merchandise
• Maryland Terrapins Fan Apparel and Merchandise
• Miami Hurricanes Fan Apparel and Merchandise
• NC State Wolfpack Fan Apparel and Merchandise
• North Carolina Tar Heels Fan Apparel and Merchandise
• Virginia Cavaliers Fan Apparel and Merchandise
• Virginia Tech Hokies Fan Apparel and Merchandise
• Wake Forest Demon Deacons Fan Apparel and Merchandise

Learn more about 2010 Preseason College Football Conference Comparison.

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

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