An Inside Look: Steve Spurrier

With Vandy's victory last Thursday, the Commodores defeated an SEC opponent in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1998-99 (against South Carolina). But more importantly, the victory came against Steve Spurrier, who was the King of the SEC in the 1990's. Spurrier claimed one national title, six SEC titles, two SEC East championships, a first-in-the-SEC claim (in the 1990 probation season), and an ACC championship at Duke from 1989-2000. As of September 6, 2008, he has a record of 164-57-2. Thus this loss to the 'Dores garnered some interest - which teams have defeated the Ole Ball Coach in back-to-back seasons?

Well, upon beginning the research, there had to be some initial lines drawn. Do same season victories count (both Alabama and Florida State have faced and beaten Spurrier twice in one season)? Do we disregard the NFL hiatus (so that Auburn's victory over Florida in 2001 butts up against the 2005 victory over USC)? And what about the Duke years (where multiple ACC teams took shots at Spurrier's Dukies)? And finally, what about those damn tie games (Spurrier has two in his career)?

I'll delve into each of those questions; I'll count back-to-back games (so same season results count) and we'll look at the SEC first. The SEC teams that have defeated Spurrier are as follows:
1) Tennessee (Wins over Duke in 1989 and Florida in 1990; South Carolina in 2006 and 2007).
2) Auburn (Wins over Florida in 1993 and 1994; South Carolina in 2005 and 2006)
3) Alabama (Wins over Florida in 1999 Regular Season and SEC Championship Game)
4) Georgia (Wins over South Carolina in 2005 and 2006)
5) Arkansas (Wins over South Carolina in 2006 and 2007)
6) Florida (Wins over South Carolina in 2006 and 2007)
7) Vanderbilt (Wins over South Carolina in 2007 and 2008)

And that's it - LSU has had a little success against Spurrier, and the Tigers will probably be added to this list after the Oct. 18 game in Columbia (LSU defeated USC 28-16 in 2007). Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and South Carolina were all defeated in their most recent game against Spurrier.

Tennessee is the only team to defeat Spurrier at three different schools. Auburn is the only SEC team to defeat Spurrier in seperate back-to-back meetings at two different schools; the Tigers also have the longest winning steak against Spurrier, with three straight victories.

With regards to non-SEC teams, the following have defeated Spurrier in back-to-back games:
8) Wake Forest (Wins over Duke in 1987 and 1988)
9) Clemson (Wins over Duke in 1987 and 1988)
10) Florida State (Wins over Florida in 1992 and 1993; and in 1998, 1999 and 2000)
Notably, NC State went 2-0-1 against Spurrier from 1987-89; and Florida State was 3-0-1 from 1992-1994. Clemson defeated Spurrier last season, and hosts South Carolina to close out the season.

The Seminoles have had the most success against Spurrier, handing the Ole Ball Coach eight of his 57 losses. Tennessee has seven wins over Spurrier thru his head coaching career. Clemson has beaten the Ole Ball Coach four times.