We all know that the SEC is the most respected conference in all the land. Over the years, the film world has paid their respect to the teams of the Southeastern Conference, and given a nod to the fact that there are SEC fans of all walks of life across the nation. Which team has the best film reference to its name? We break down the list here, but feel free to let us know what film we missed!
Alabama
This is a no-brainer, quite literally. Forrest Gump, America's favorite dullard in the mid-1990s was an Alabama graduate. Throughout the film Forrest meets presidents, becomes a war hero, starts a multi-million dollar company, and most unbelievably of all ... gets laid! The most realistic plot line of this movie is that Forrest, a man with an IQ so low, his mom has to screw the local school's headmaster to get admitted, has no problem getting accepted at the University of Alabama.
Arkansas
Perhaps nothing sums up the culture of the South like a paint-by-numbers Christian biopic created by greedy charlatans to shake money from dim-witted mouth-breathers who can't wrap their mind around complex and intellectual Hollywood storylines from mainstream films like Despicable Me 3. 2016's Greater tells the story of Brandon Burlsworth, a devout Christian and life-long Hogs fan who walks onto the squad only to become an All-American and an NFL draft pick. God rewards Burlsworth's devotion and dedication by killing him in a car wreck at age 22. Truly inspirational.
Auburn
Auburn lives perpetually in Alabama's shadow, and one of the many side effects of this is that nearly all cultural references to colleges in the state gravitate to the bigger brother. That may explain why one of the very few references to Auburn lies in the bizarre and shitty 2003 film Big Fish. The film does capture the look and feel of the South well however, mainly in the form of a disheveled and shirtless Danny Devito. Ewan McGregor however looks utterly out of place.
Florida
The 2002 film Big Trouble is total shit, but the references to the Florida Gators could not be more spot-on. Just watch this clip of Dennis Farina and Jack Kehler playing hitmen on a stakeout, followed by a nightmare flight surrounded by Florida faithful. We think you'll agree they completely capture the zeitgeist of Florida Gator fans.
Georgia
While Georgia Football is never specifically mentioned in the film, we feel that no movie captures the spirit of the Georgia people quite like the Deliverance. Filmed on the Chattooga River in northern Georgia, it's the story of some Atlanta men whose peaceful canoe trip takes a turn for the worst. Perhaps with rawest deal of the bunch, Ned Beatty ends up on the receiving end of some unwanted Southern hospitality.
Kentucky
It goes without saying that no one in their right mind would make a film about Kentucky Football, but Wildcat Basketball has made the big screen. Much as in real life, the Kentucky bunch featured in Disney's 2006 Glory Road are the bad guys. Going up against the first college team to feature an all-black starting line-up, Kentucky ends up losing to Don Haskins' Texas Western squad and obviously, that equals a happy ending for all of us.
LSU
Much like with Georgia, this film, 1998's The Waterboy is not explicitly about LSU, few would argue that the movie is inspired by the team as well as the culture that surrounds the good people of Louisiana. Bobby Boucher also rivals Alabama's Forest Gump for top spot in the canon of the South's intellectual prowess.
Ole Miss
Another easy pick, The Blind Side is the heartwarming story of a wealthy family of white Ole Miss supporters illegally recruiting offensive tackle Michael Oher to their favorite team. This classic tale of white saviors recounts the story of how rich Ole Miss fans heroically navigate issues of race, class, and politics to persevere and overcome the forces that align to attempt to keep college football honest and ensure proper rules are followed.
The film also bravely skirts any mention of Hugh Freeze and how he used Oher's football prowess to boost his own career and feather his own nest. Freeze's successful effort to help schools cheat to admit Oher which ultimately led to Freeze being magically hired by Ole Miss just days after Oher's recruitment are also boldly omitted from the film. This one really pulls at the heartstrings.
The film also bravely skirts any mention of Hugh Freeze and how he used Oher's football prowess to boost his own career and feather his own nest. Freeze's successful effort to help schools cheat to admit Oher which ultimately led to Freeze being magically hired by Ole Miss just days after Oher's recruitment are also boldly omitted from the film. This one really pulls at the heartstrings.
Mississippi State
This Not Safe for Work clip gives you a little taste of the 1993 film The Program where Mississippi State is featured on the losing end of a matchup with the drug-addled and criminal-ridden ESU Timberwolves. Frankly, the Bulldogs should feel lucky to be featured at all, given that they also suffer from the same "little brother" status that their neighbors over in Auburn are afflicted with. The film reveals one sure way to beat Mississippi State ... vicious and vulgar taunting.
Missouri
In perhaps the greatest motion picture ever put to celluloid, Patrick Swayze and Sam Elliott reveal the zen of bar bouncing in Road House. In this scene, Swayze gives one of Missouri's greatest coaching performances and trains a young Mizzou fan bouncer to maybe one day become the best!
South Carolina
In this scene from the movie Borat, a group of young South Carolina students gives Borat a lesson on the beliefs and morality of the people from their great state. The results won't surprise you.
Tennessee
In the obscure Burt Reynolds film WW and the Dixie Dancekings, a sour gas station attendant shares his opinion about Tennessee and I think it's one we all share. "I don't give a dog about no Tennessee Vols."
Texas A&M
In perhaps the greatest tradition in college football, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas shows a victorious Texas A&M Aggie squad hosted by a state senator to the Chicken Ranch, otherwise known as the best little whorehouse in Texas. While the boys seem excited, all their singing and dancing does make one question just how interested they really were in visiting some lonestar painted ladies.
Vanderbilt
Let's be honest, Vanderbilt football is never going to be referenced in a film. The school is a perennial dumpster fire in athletics but they kick SEC ass in academics. That is why the only Vandy reference we could find is from the 2004 HBO film Something the Lord Made about the pioneers of heart surgery. Eh, it's the best we can do.
