SEC overrated??
by Zoltar on Nov 10, 2009 9:08 AM EST
38 comments
Story is a week or 2 old, but regardless
SEC football 2009 is not what it once was. It's certainly not SEC football 2008, when it had the best team in the country. That team was Florida, which laid a 24-14 whupping on Oklahoma in the BCS title game.
SEC football 2009 has been living off its past all season, and the backlash is coming. Maybe it's here already. Maybe, as I channel my inner Barack Obama, I am the change we've been waiting for.
It's certainly not the other 'Bama.
Alabama? That's the superpower we're tired of waiting for. Just like Florida.
Overrated, both of them.
Pollsters agree with me on this point, but pollsters being pollsters, they don't have the guts or independence of thought to come out and vote how they really want to vote. So they keep flip-flopping Florida and Alabama from one to two to one to two, unimpressed on a weekly basis with the Gators and Crimson Tide but still conditioned, in their Pavlovian heart of hearts, to believe SEC football 2009 is what everyone said it would be.
Florida doesn't deserve to be No. 1. Alabama doesn't deserve to be No. 2. LSU doesn't deserve to be No. 9.
This isn't the preseason anymore. College football has a lot more to go on than hype and talk. We're almost into November, for crying out loud. College football has actual results, and the results for Florida and Alabama are not the results of the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country.
Both schools keep winning, yes, but they keep winning unimpressively. They keep scraping by other teams in their own league, ugly wins against ugly teams -- with Florida winning on officiating mistakes as much as anything -- but it has been enough to keep the Gators and Crimson Tide on top. It's like a black hole in reverse: The vortex of SEC football has sucked Florida and Alabama into the top spots, and it won't let them go.
Who should be No. 1? Maybe UCLA! Well, no. But how about Texas? The Longhorns are beating everybody, and they're beating the crap out of almost everybody.
If not Texas, maybe Southern California. Yes, genius, I know. USC lost to Washington. But the Trojans lost that game without their most important player, quarterback Matt Barkley, and he's back. If the goal of the BCS is to place the best two teams in the title game, well, USC with Matt Barkley deserves as much consideration as Florida or Alabama.
Hell, at this point, I'll listen to arguments for Cincinnati
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This guy was making some good points...
until he started shilling for USC to be #1, even if he was talking about the USC from 2 weeks ago. SEC appears to be having a down year, but it also appears that every other Big Six conference is too. There’s actually a PAC10 race this year, and Stanford and Arizona are in the mix? Besides Texas and Okie St., the Big XII looks pretty mediocre. The Big 10’s best team is a sloppy bunch of Iowa farmboys of narrowly beat FCS N. Iowa and Sunbelt bottom-dweller Ark. St.
by dxf04 on Nov 10, 2009 10:13 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
except that 2008 was supposed to be a down year. If anything thing this year is better. How many wins did Auburn have last year? How about Tennessee? Both of those teams are much improved. The only thing he has to support 2008 was Florida winning the MNC, and since the game hasn’t been played yet how do you know that an SEC team won’t win it again? I’d say the odds are pretty good it will happen.
But as you say, the biggest problem is that he really doesn’t have anything to support any teams being better than Bama or Florida. USC is a joke. Texas barely beat a 4 loss Oklahoma team, and their schedule has otherwise been a cakewalk.
What you're seeing is team spirit. It's like the Holy Spirit, but more powerful.
-Hank Hill
by Zoltar on Nov 10, 2009 12:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I personally think that Auburn and Tennessee are just further proof that the league, as a whole, is a bit down. Auburn is sitting at 3-3 in the conference, got smoked by Arkansas, and lost to Kentucky. Tennessess only has 2 conference wins and lost to UCLA. Yes, they’re both much improved, which is good for the conference, but they really had nowhere to go but up. Of course, there’s still a few games left, so they both have time to improve their resume. The SEC is supposed to be competitive, with the conference game matchup decided in the last one or two weeks of the season. Instead, we had it decided four weeks in advance.
by dxf04 on Nov 10, 2009 1:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The league isn't down..
just its perception. The SEC is prepared to send 10 teams to bowl games this year. I also find it hilarious when critics of the SEC as a conference site other conferences achievements. Seriously? Any point to be made against the SEC I can find at least two to made against other conferences.
At the end of the day
by Mikeno on Nov 16, 2009 7:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He is just instigating a conversation.
And he must not like strong defensive teams.
Bama has been impressive, until they played quality conference opponents. Even then they keep winning with their defense.
Florida has been the same way.
This is not the ’08 Gators! But they still dominate on defense.
This year’s Longhorns are not as good as last year’s, either.
This guy must be watching Cincy and Houston and wondering why the SEC isn’t as prolific on the scoreboard. He must be ignoring the “smash-mouth” brand of football played in the South.
by crimson37 on Nov 10, 2009 5:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Exactly
Playing good defenses makes wins look “ugly.” Texas has only played one top 30 defense all year, and they have not looked dominant throughout. The other three undefeated teams have ridiculously weak schedules.
I think Alabama or Florida will beat Texas for the national championship this year, making it four straight for the SEC, and the league will win the majority of its bowl games, but columnists will still say the SEC is overrated in 2010.
As sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, critics will continue to say the SEC is overrated. It just comes with the territory.
by Paranormal on Nov 11, 2009 12:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Overrated SEC?
Exactly what is the frame of reference? Make a bold statement, take a deep breath and then scratch your ass and look at the ceiling. I thought he was going somewhere for a moment.
by renegator on Nov 10, 2009 8:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
haha
If this guy could go back and change the whole USC thing, oh wait he can. EDIT THAT OUT, CHANGE IT TO a actual contender.
SEC is having a low year, but I dont think that FL or Bama is over rated. Texas hasnt won impressively either, sure the scores look good at the end. But recently the games have been close until the last second.
by Hook85 on Nov 11, 2009 9:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Texas?
Here’s there impressive resume:
Beat LA-Monroe 59-20.
LA-Monroe is 5-4 in the Sun Belt and has the 50th ranked defense.
Beat Wyoming 41-10.
Wyoming is 4-5 in the Mountain West and has the 84th ranked defense.
Beat Texas Tech 34-24.
Tech is 6-3 in the Big 12 and has the 57th ranked defense.
Beat UTEP 64-7.
UTEP is 3-6 in Conference USA and has the 115th ranked defense.
Beat Colorado 38-14.
Colorado is 3-6 in the Big 12 and has the 74th ranked defense.
Beat Oklahoma 16-13.
Oklahoma is 5-4 in the Big 12 and has the 9th ranked defense.
Beat Missouri 41-7.
Missouri is 5-4 in the Big 12 and has the 45th ranked defense.
Beat Oklahoma State 41-14.
Oklahoma State is 7-2 in the Big 12 and has the 35th ranked defense.
Beat UCF 35-3.
UCF is 5-4 in Conference USA and has the 52nd ranked defense.
So is that so impressive?!? Mroe so that Alabama and Florida? I don’t see it.
For comparison, Bama has faced defenses ranked as follows: 23rd, 118th, 107th, 96th, 59th, 25th, 19th, 16th, 20th. An average of 53.6.
Florida has faced defenses ranked as follows: N/A, 83rd, 16th, 59th, 20th, 96th, 51st, 36th, 54th. An average of 52.
In toughest overall schedule played so far, Florida is ranked 18th, Alabama 24th and Texas 39th.
Just FYI, Cincy has the 73rd toughest schedule to date and Boise State has teh 100th toughest.
So is the SEC really that down? Well, not top to bottom. But in the middle yes, I’d agree with that. As far as overall? It does have the 2 best teams in the country right now. It would be tough to argue against that.
by skigator93 on Nov 12, 2009 10:58 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
against
colorado they struggled and pulled away at the last second
OK they struggled
OK state they struggle until the last quarter.
by Hook85 on Nov 12, 2009 8:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't look too hard at how the game flowed
By all means, we struggled in over half our games. Good teams win tough games though.
by skigator93 on Nov 12, 2009 10:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think Texas
FLA, Bama could all argue for the number one spot, I was just agreeing with you about Texas not be as impressive as the this guy thinks. Well they arnt noticeable better as he says.
by Hook85 on Nov 13, 2009 4:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
florida and alabama are number 1 and 2 in the nation but lsu is over-rated
when they crush la. tech they hit the trifecta. they beat university of louisiana lafeyete, tulane and now la. tech on saturday. that is like ohio state university beating akron, toledo and kent state.
by wolfmanshowlforever on Nov 13, 2009 9:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
hard to say
Unless LSU loses to a team that isn’t undefeated and ranked in the top 2 in the nation, they could even make an argument that they are the third best team in the country. They certainly gave both Florida and Alabama all they could handle.
by skigator93 on Nov 13, 2009 2:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
don't take this the wrong way but i think you are being just a little biased
lsu’s best win was either a medicore georgia team or a better than expected auburn team. auburn had one of easiest ooc shcedule’s. texas and tcu would beat lsu on a nuetral field.
by wolfmanshowlforever on Nov 14, 2009 12:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
All I'm saying
is if LSU were to finish 10-2 with their only losses close ones to Florida and Alabama, they will deserve a pretty high ranking and get their chance to play another good team in a bowl game.
by skigator93 on Nov 14, 2009 9:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
We can exclude USC from the conversation
They got creamed by Stanford.
"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
The Flavour of the Day is Turf. - Courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Keeper of the "That's what she said"
by TheTealDeal on Nov 14, 2009 9:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
lsu just beating la. tech was not good
for the first time in my life i saw tim tebow not move the pile. he actually got pushed back and lost yardage a few times vs s.c i think alabama will win the sec cg. peace.
by wolfmanshowlforever on Nov 15, 2009 1:04 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
You must have missed the Ole Miss game last year....
His inability to move the pile when everyone knew he was running on 4th down against Ole Miss didn’t do much for the Tide in the ’08 SECCG.
You should probably look for something else – like your offensive coordinator’s refusal to do anything other than running the dive play, or the option shovel pass to Hernandez on the short side of the field.
Addazio reminds me of a kid who has 100 awesome toys under the tree on Christmas morning, yet is content ignoring them all to instead play in the box that the dishwasher came in.
Go Gators.
by skigator93 on Nov 16, 2009 1:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nobody can move the pile
on 3rd/4th and short, if everyone one in the world knows your getting the ball. Our OC sucks.
by Hook85 on Nov 16, 2009 8:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Not moving the pile
That’s one hell of an indicator there alright. I trust you’ll be a wealthy man with all you’re going to wager on that one. I love it when people count Tebow and the Gators out. Tebow is re-writing record books every week including Herschel Walker’s and Kevin Faulks records and all I can see are opposing fans fantasizing over percieved weaknesses. I have no earthly idea what the outcome of the Atlanta game will be but I have a little more to pin my hopes on than tea leaves, chicken bones and cloud formations. Remember when Kirk Herbstreit said that the Gators had no business in the championship game in 2006? You can heap B.S. on the Gators if it makes you feel better…..but Tebow can move the pile.
by renegator on Nov 15, 2009 9:55 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
+1
"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
The Flavour of the Day is Turf. - Courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Keeper of the "That's what she said"
by TheTealDeal on Nov 16, 2009 9:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i said only a few times. gator fans are sensitive. if you do win the ncg 50/50
what do you think of urban meyer being courted by notre dame? i would think he would move on to n.d becuase he knows he won’t win the sec with brantley. he could start over in n.d and build them up. just a possibility.
yes i am obsessive, obnoxious, in your face and all about covering the spread. those are my good qualities.
by wolfmanshowlforever on Nov 18, 2009 7:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
you have no idea
Read up on the whole urbie ND talks, its been going on before he even came here. Its stil lnot happening.
by Hook85 on Nov 20, 2009 8:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He could win the SEC with Brantley
but he would do it in a different way that accomodates Brantley
"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
The Flavour of the Day is Turf. - Courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Keeper of the "That's what she said"
by TheTealDeal on Nov 26, 2009 9:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
if alabama gets 10 points like they did last year you better believe i will take bama
they are better this year. the gators are not as good offensively. i will take the points.
yes i am obsessive, obnoxious, in your face and all about covering the spread. those are my good qualities.
by wolfmanshowlforever on Nov 18, 2009 7:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think 10 points is a little high
I’m not sure that either team will score 10 points in that game.
by skigator93 on Nov 18, 2009 11:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Won't win the SEC with Brantley
Maybe….maybe not. We all know Coach Meyer can write his own ticket. So what? Do you think UF will curl up and die? There’s not one flippin thing average Gator fans can do about that. The sun don’t shine on the same dog’ass every day but we’ve got some sunshine saved up. The world has changed since the Bear was in Bama and you and I have to live with that. Do you think Nick Saban has any glue on his ass? What I have is two National Championships in the past three years. That’s enough to keep my old bones warm through a long winter. Tebow has been there and done it. He is a piece of history to be cherished by Gator fans and all other decent people, just like the Bear. Respect and watch. Regardless of the outcome, Tebow, Meyer and the rest of the Gators own a piece of history.
Go Gators!
by renegator on Nov 18, 2009 11:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
People think
Brantley is some back up, that is just filling space. The dont realize he was highly recruited and actually broke Tim Tebows HS records in the state of FL.
by Hook85 on Nov 20, 2009 8:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
meh
Every QB in the SEC was highly recruited out of high school. Bobby Sabelhouse was the top QB recruit in the entire country (he was a Spurrier recruit and was a complete flop for the Gators – don’t think he ever made it onto the field).
Brantley will get his chance next season….and hopefully will see some action this weekend…..
by skigator93 on Nov 20, 2009 10:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ok
Yea, does every highly recruited player own their state record for TD’s. I get your point, and I am not saying Brantley is the next Heisman winner, but hes definatley not sme bench warmer, he would be starting on most SEC teams right now.
by Hook85 on Nov 20, 2009 8:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
maybe
he would be starting on most SEC teams right now
That’s what a lot of people say, but I’m not sold just yet. We’ll see next season (and hopefully the following) how good he is.
by skigator93 on Nov 23, 2009 12:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Given the current state of SEC QBs, is that really so impressive? Besides Mallett and Tebow, are there really any QBs in the league that everyone is salivating over? Not that Cox, McElroy, Garcia, ect., are “bad” QBs; it just happens that the league has a lot of QBs that look like Casey Dick, circa 2008.
by dxf04 on Nov 23, 2009 1:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
good point
"Why does bottled water have an expiration date?"
by Hook85 on Nov 26, 2009 12:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
McElroy is better than he appears.
McElroy is a top prospect for the QB position. He’s had his up and downs this year, but it is his 1st year starting.
At the Manning Passing Academy(Peyton mannings camp/school for “elite” QB’s), McElroy turns alot of heads. He finished the school ranked #2,
Top honors went to Jerrod Johnson. Second was McElroy, better than Colt McCoy, Sam Bradford and Jevan Snead who also attended.
So he’s got the stuff, and it’s shown from time to time. I think he just needs a bit more experience, not to mention he is on a team that likes to rush and run down the clock time where as like with Colt McCoy, it’s about the passing game etc.
I think I read a stat that said something like McElroy had the high completion % for deep ball passes. However, it was rare that he had more than 1 or 2 attempts per game at it.
by cal n on Dec 1, 2009 3:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Back to the subject at hand...
you could make the case that all of the conferences are “down.” Just about every conf. has 2 front-runners and a bunch of also-rans. The fact that the SEC doesnt have 4 9-win teams doesn’t mean much. Look who 2 of the top 3 are.
Upon moving to AL, I let my wife decide who she would root for. After one day at a new job full of Bama fans, she met me at the door with a hearty cry of "WAR EAGLE"
by SandMountainTiger on Dec 1, 2009 2:46 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
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