SEC Derby

The term "SEC Derby" is an informal designation used to describe any football game between two member institutions of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Due to the conference's emphasis on football and its long history of intense rivalries, nearly every SEC game carries a significant level of importance and tradition, often blurring the lines between traditional rivalries and regularly scheduled conference matchups.

While not every SEC game is equally considered a "derby," the term typically implies a heightened sense of competition, tradition, and regional pride. Factors that contribute to a game being labeled an SEC Derby include:

• Proximity: Games between teams located relatively close to each other often carry extra weight due to local bragging rights and shared recruiting pools.
• Historical Significance: Games with a long and storied history, marked by memorable moments and significant championship implications, are frequently considered derbies.
• Intensity of Rivalry: Pre-existing or long-cultivated animosity between fan bases and/or teams contributes to the derby atmosphere.
• Championship Implications: Games with a significant impact on the SEC championship race or national rankings can take on the character of a derby.

Examples of games that are regularly considered SEC Derbies include (but are not limited to) the Alabama-Auburn (Iron Bowl), Florida-Georgia, LSU-Alabama, and Tennessee-Alabama games. However, the specific games considered "derbies" can fluctuate based on team performance, evolving rivalries, and media narratives.