The SEC: Overhyped Cheaters or the Real Deal?
Inspired by this article on the strength of the SEC, I decided to examine the state of the mighty Southeastern conference. Forget the I-AA teams and the UL-Wherever games, let's take a look at the SEC's record against other BCS conference opponents. By my count, the SEC is 5-6 against the big boys. The SEC sports victories over Duke, Cal, Colorado, Washington State, and Arizona. The conference has suffered defeats against USC, Michigan, Louisville, West Virginia, Mizzou, and Wake Forest, all of whom are in the AP top 25. So, the SEC is 1-6 against nonconference top 25 opponents. That's not a good record.
"But, Kyle, the nonconference games pit the best of other conferences against the worst of the SEC." Last time I checked, Arkansas is leading the SEC West and they got run by USC in Arkansas, 50-14. USC, by the way, has not looked that impressive in their Pac 10 schedule. I guess that evens out UT whipping Cal in Knoxville. At the same time, all but one SEC victory over nonconference opponents was against the weak sisters of other conferences. Further, Colorado should have beaten Georgia and Duke lead Alabama at the half. Those two games did not demonstrate a significant difference in the Big 12 or ACC from the SEC. In addition, most of the SEC's nonconference games were played in the SEC team's stadium.
The SEC will have more chances to prove its worth later in the year, as Georgia hosts Georgia Tech, South Carolina plays Clemson, and UF gets FSU. The bowl season always provides helpful too. Right now, however, I will make the following statements:
1. The SEC is not a dominant conference. It is exactly what is should be, a good BCS conference with a few very good teams, several average teams, and a several stinkers.
2. The SEC may play more exciting, close conference games than other conferences and may have a deeper talent pool. This does not mean that the conference is superior to other conferences, though.
3. The SEC is marginally deeper than other conferences. The SEC has four teams that could win a BCS bowl this year. Everyone else has two. That's a feather in the SEC's cap, but it does not justify the over the top plaudits I've seen from captive southeastern media.
I guess I will update these thoughts as the season goes on, but I thought this topic would certainly inspire a few comments.
"But, Kyle, the nonconference games pit the best of other conferences against the worst of the SEC." Last time I checked, Arkansas is leading the SEC West and they got run by USC in Arkansas, 50-14. USC, by the way, has not looked that impressive in their Pac 10 schedule. I guess that evens out UT whipping Cal in Knoxville. At the same time, all but one SEC victory over nonconference opponents was against the weak sisters of other conferences. Further, Colorado should have beaten Georgia and Duke lead Alabama at the half. Those two games did not demonstrate a significant difference in the Big 12 or ACC from the SEC. In addition, most of the SEC's nonconference games were played in the SEC team's stadium.
The SEC will have more chances to prove its worth later in the year, as Georgia hosts Georgia Tech, South Carolina plays Clemson, and UF gets FSU. The bowl season always provides helpful too. Right now, however, I will make the following statements:
1. The SEC is not a dominant conference. It is exactly what is should be, a good BCS conference with a few very good teams, several average teams, and a several stinkers.
2. The SEC may play more exciting, close conference games than other conferences and may have a deeper talent pool. This does not mean that the conference is superior to other conferences, though.
3. The SEC is marginally deeper than other conferences. The SEC has four teams that could win a BCS bowl this year. Everyone else has two. That's a feather in the SEC's cap, but it does not justify the over the top plaudits I've seen from captive southeastern media.
I guess I will update these thoughts as the season goes on, but I thought this topic would certainly inspire a few comments.
<< Home