Mr. College Football

By GWJ

December 1, 2005 09:55 PM | Link to this

The SEC has the better teams, coaches, facilities and fans.

By Barry

December 1, 2005 10:17 PM | Link to this

Kentucky, Ole Miss, Miss St, Ark, Vandy, South Carolina, Bama, now Tenn…lot of bad football being played in the SEC. In Birmingham, local sportscasters here concede the ACC is the better conference. The issue arose as a result of Tuberville’s comments which suggested the SEC had been displaced. The SEC lacks imagination…too many bad/predictable offenses (see UT and Bama) whereas the ACC tends to have greater diversity offensively.

Top to bottom, ACC has the best balance…no question.

By ACC fan

December 1, 2005 10:20 PM | Link to this

prove it

By Island Dawg

December 1, 2005 10:29 PM | Link to this

If this is a “down year” for the SEC then I’ll take the SEC every year. Athens, K’ville, G’ville, Auburn, T-Town, Red Stick, and now Columbia? Yeah, crappy venues with no fan support. Outside of Tally and Blacksburg (small stadium, great support though), what exactly does the ACC have to offer as far as quality game day experiences go? The SEC will continue to be the most talent-laden conference in the NCAA for the foreseeable future. The new ACC is certainly improved from its Tobacco Road days, but it’s still far from being anything like the SEC.

By Island Dawg

December 1, 2005 10:47 PM | Link to this

Sorry, forgot about Clemson. Rabid fans, huge stadium, but that’s still SEC 7 ACC 3.

By RxDawg

December 1, 2005 10:52 PM | Link to this

This is a hard call. I definitly think the SEC has had a down year. However the stats show we are pretty equal. Who knows. The SEC does have better facilities and fan base than anyone. Now the ACC has found out how hard it is to develope a national championship contender in a quality conference. You beat each other up. USC and Texas are very good teams, but they have it made over there.

By JP

December 1, 2005 11:12 PM | Link to this

Hey Island Dawg, I’m not sure you realized that we are discussing the quality of football play, not gameday experience. Maybe you’re on the wrong board, but in my opinion of the level of football I’d have to call it a draw.

By JP

December 1, 2005 11:13 PM | Link to this

Hey Island Dawg, I’m not sure you realized this, but we are talking about the football play of the teams, not gameday experience. As far as the play is concerned, I’d call it a draw.

By Rabid fans?

December 1, 2005 11:14 PM | Link to this

So just because the SEC has “rabid fans” and has a sea of RV’s on campus on Saturdays means the SEC is a better conference? Gimme a break. The article isn’t about who has the biggest stadiums it is about the football teams. The ACC was clearly better this year and will be consistently better in the future. Some of you SEC homers need to get a life. The SEC doesn’t even compare to the ACC top to bottom.

By CW

December 1, 2005 11:24 PM | Link to this

Very close between ACC and SEC this year. Most years SEC would be hands down winner, but Ole Miss, MS St, KY, Ark, UT-these teams were horrible this year, granted Ark started showing some life at the end. Vandy was good by their standards, but benefitted by the other teams being down. SC was up, but FL was down. How cool would it be to see a SEC/ACC challenge in football? I think SEC would win more of the top half games, but ACC would win more 2nd tier games.

LSU vs Va Tech - close game Auburn vs Miami - edge to Auburn UGA vs BC - edge to Georgia Alabama vs Tech - toss up Clem vs. Florida - edge to Florida Florida St vs. SC - edge to Spurrier UVA vs. Tenn - edge UVA NC St vs. Vandy - edge NC St Ark vs UNC - edge NC Miss St vs.MD - edge MD Ole Miss vs.Wake - edge WF KY vs. Duke - edge KY

By Jeremy

December 1, 2005 11:43 PM | Link to this

The SEC is down this year for the first time in forever and it is still the toughest conference. The ACC is much improved but it still has a long way to go. Florida State is awful and they are in the Championship. Give me a break. Either the people on this board are biased because they are ACC fans or they don’t know a thing about football. It is probably a combination of both. Which is not a shock. When you go to a game on Saturday and listen to the comments made in the stands 90% of the fans know nothing about football. I made the same statement about the lack of knowledge of fans before the season when I said DJ Shockley was going to be a great quarterback and almost everyone else said he was overrated and GA would be lucky to win 7 games. Anyone that knew anything about football and had seen him play knew he was going to be outstanding. I am just amazed that people enjoy a sport they know nothing about. The computer polls are a joke. To rate the SEC as the 5th toughest conference is laughable.

By GT GRAD

December 2, 2005 12:10 AM | Link to this

Most SEC fans will have a difficult time with this topic. There has been an obvious bias in the media and college football polls for years, but it looks like the bias is starting to fade away because the facts are obvious to most open-minded fans. The SEC is over-rated every year in the polls. The SEC has done a good job for several years promoting itself as the “best football conference in the country”. Anyone who is honest would have to agree the conference usually has 4-5 solid teams at the top, but the bottome six teams (Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Arkansas & South Carolina) are usually not good teams. Most years, these six teams do not win many games against marginal teams much less good teams. Most of the teams in the SEC play a VERY soft schedule every year outside of the conference and get to play 4 or 5 of the bottom six teams. This approach helps to ensure the SEC has a strong winning record outside of the conference and the top 5-6 teams always win 8, 9 or 10 games (every year without exception). The truth is the SEC has several teams which have winning records every year because they beat teams they should beat and the bottom HALF of the conference is very weak. The fact that they claim to “beat each other up” playing in such a difficult conference is ridiculus. The SEC is relatively strong up top (but the teams are not as good as most SEC fans would like to believe) and not a very strong conference top to bottom. The computer polls, strength of schedule rankings, head-to-head records against quality competition and bowl records prove my point.

The ACC is just as strong as the SEC when comparing the top 5-6 teams, but the ACC is much stronger than the SEC from 7-12. I am not just talking about this year either; now that both conferences have 12 teams I have a suggestion. Rank the SEC 1-12 and then the ACC 1-12. Decide which teams have been better over the past 10-15 years. 1 vs. 1, 2 vs. 2, 3 vs. 3, etc. Advanced Warning: Most SEC fans will not enjoy this excercise. Most honest people will come to the conclusion that the top six teams are a wash at 3-3, but the ACC is better at the bottom by a margin of about 5-1. The computer polls, strength of schedule rankings, head-to-head records against quality competition and bowl records prove my point almost every year; if you don’t believe me do a little research and see for yourself! Or you can continue to claim the SEC is the “best football conference in the country” and continue to sound like an idiot (primarily because you are ignorant of the facts or you are unwilling to believe the facts that you know are true).

The (new 12 team) ACC is a better football conference than the SEC. (P.S. we are a better basketball conference too!)

By SteveO

December 2, 2005 03:41 AM | Link to this

During non-conference play, the ACC had seven teams in the top 25. The SEC had no more than 6. The ACC sends 8 teams to bowl games. The SEC sends 6. These two conferences are the best in the nation(with respect to the Big 10). However, the tie-breaker goes to the ACC. Pretty soon, the ACC will start getting better (and more) bowl tie-ins.

By fil dawg

December 2, 2005 04:35 AM | Link to this

Duke and Wake Forest - nuff said!!

SEC SEC SEC

By sj

December 2, 2005 05:34 AM | Link to this

Objective measure of how much each conf values their football programs:calculate the cumulative head coach salary of both conferences and compare…… SEC by a Bank of America landslide.

By JS

December 2, 2005 06:46 AM | Link to this

I think many SEC fans are approaching this question on an historical basis, and why shouldn’t they? In the past 15+ years the SEC has been the consistently strongest conference in what is easily the largest football fan base in the country, the southeast.

However, the question at hand is who is strongest NOW? I don’t think that can be ultimately answered until the end of the season when all of the championship and bowl results are in. Even so, the statistical evidence presented in the article suggests that the ACC is the strongest conference THIS YEAR. I do believe that the SEC is having a down year, and of course, the ACC has three strong additions to the football picture in the conference over the past two years. These two FACTS also support the contention that the ACC is the stronger conference this year. The discrepancy between the statistical comparisons and the human polls suggests that the historical perspective of poll voters continues to favor the SEC.

Please keep in mind that this is the first year in the fully expanded ACC. Time will tell if the ACC will continue to strengthen not only its collective performance on the field but also in the minds of poll voters. It is doubtful that the SEC will remain down for any length of time, but this doesn’t address the overall depth issue of the league or strength of schedule. In particular, the strength of schedule is a major factor in the computer rankings and the only way the SEC schools will improve this will be to schedule stronger non-conference opponents.

My guess is that ACC and SEC fans will continue to debate this issue for years to come, and each year will have a unique answer. No longer will objective SEC fans be able to unequivocally state dominance on the field of play year in and year out simply because the conference is the SEC. I think that’s good news for all football fans, particularly in the south. May we all enjoy healthy competition and rhetoric between the conferences!

By ACC Sucks

December 2, 2005 07:18 AM | Link to this

It’s the SEC by far…Our #5 team (FLA)just waxed your #2/3 team in FSU…The SEC would go 5-1 or 6-0 in the top six…LSU, GA, AU, AL, FL, SC,

By brewerfaninATL

December 2, 2005 07:25 AM | Link to this

No contest! SEC big time over the ACC! Maybe in a few years, once VA Tech, Miami, and BC get established in a better conference than the awful Big East, I’ll change my mind. Right now the ACC couldn’t hold the SEC’s jock! Sure, every now and then, an ACC team will win one against the SEC (it does happen!), but more often than not, in games that really matter (the bowls), the SEC is flat-out better. Sure, the ACC can argue that they win the peach bowl often…but consider this: The ACC team sends it’s 3rd seed out there against the SEC’s 5th seed. That’s why the SEC plays the majority of its bowl games against much better competition—the Big 10 (3 bowl games, except this year where it’s only 2). Sure, let the ACC pound its chest when Miami thumps Louisville in the Gator Bowl, and Georgia Tech whips up on Rutgers, or Clemson mops up the field with Boise State, or even IF 3rd seed BC knocks off 5th seed Florida in the Peach Bowl (IF that happens!) Bottom line: SEC is much better than the ACC!

By MagicMan

December 2, 2005 07:29 AM | Link to this

The ACC is a top heavy conference…I think year in year out Miama/VT/FSU could hold their own against most SEC teams. Also keep in mind Miami/VT are transplants from the old Big East.

However, I think from top to bottom the SEC is the best conference…HANDS DOWN!!!!

I know this would never happen, but wouldn’t it be cool if college football implemented something like the Big 10/ACC challenge for football…where the ACC played the SEC.

By brewerfaninATL

December 2, 2005 07:34 AM | Link to this

SteveO, sorry but it’s the SEC, then the Big Ten, THEN the ACC. Just watch when Penn State kicks the crap out of over-rated VA Tech in the Orange Bowl (if VA Tech beats FSU). Like I said before, give the ACC some time, say in about 3-5 years, when the new kids(Miami, BC, VA Tech) start facing better competition every game. Until then, it’s SEC holding an edge on the Big 10, then the ACC a ways behind…FOR NOW!

By Jeff

December 2, 2005 07:45 AM | Link to this

The ACC is better, more recent national champs and better teams with better coaches and players. Besides anyone but UGA who once again was over-rated from start to finish. GO NOLES!!!!!!

By Fan

December 2, 2005 07:51 AM | Link to this

I bet SEC fans would come up with the argument that the SEC is better than the ACC in basketball too…

By Robert

December 2, 2005 08:01 AM | Link to this

The question is confusing. Which is “better?”

If you mean for this year only and for results on the field, the answer HAS to be the ACC. Look at any conference ratings/rankings and the ACC is either #1 or #2 while the SEC is around #4.

If you mean the fanatic fans, I think that the SEC is “better.”

By mc

December 2, 2005 08:02 AM | Link to this

SEC who? MMM now lets see—Tuberville and Auburn win the SEC last year. Probably had the best team in the nation. But, was not allowed to play in the national championship game. Anybody see or smell anything? Oh well, just us lil ol southern boys down here kickin a*. Course what state other than people in the south wants to see a southern school beat up on west coast or a norhtern school anyway. Does Joe P. still play Alabama? I don’t think so. Wake up man, back in the day, they used to ambulances on the opposite side of the field that the dogs played on now—uhmm—its time to press hard—but even if us southerners play really well, will we get a shot a the BIG game? Some things never change do they. WE live in our world(SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME) and (those people live in theirs). I,m done. Thankya very much.

By ACC

December 2, 2005 08:04 AM | Link to this

Even using SEC logic, the ACC is better. We have better booze, better looking chicks, better looking rims!

The ACC is in another class, the SEC is an old redneck league that is dying. Come on, outside of Spurrier there is not a creative offense in the league, and its not hard to play defense when you can sign 350 lb idiots to come to any of those lousy state schools.

By mc

December 2, 2005 08:12 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the articles Tony,usually read what you have to say, have a good one man. Just remember, its hard to keep a good man down. SEC 90 —ACC 65.

By Bob Gunderson

December 2, 2005 08:12 AM | Link to this

Big Ten Yeah, Thanks for asking

By SEC FAN

December 2, 2005 08:13 AM | Link to this

How can a conference that has Florida State in its championship game be any good???

By jason

December 2, 2005 08:16 AM | Link to this

“I saw one guy from Tennessee with a full plate in each hand and one had four baked potatoes on it,” Dory said. “He put those down and went back for more. He wiped out half the fruit tray. It’s enough to make a chef sweat.”

I think this describes most people from Tennessee.

By GW

December 2, 2005 08:21 AM | Link to this

Who cares? Since there are only 3 regular annual matchups it will never be proven. Just another useless argument. I still have trouble pulling Boston College into a southern football argument. How did Maryland have 2 All-Americans and a mediocre season? Has the Fridge lost it?

By Chris

December 2, 2005 08:24 AM | Link to this

The ACC is up and coming. The SEC is just as good as always. I think it’s great to be a southern college football fan!

By Big 10

December 2, 2005 08:24 AM | Link to this

Lots of squirming and flaming by the SEC fans… clearly a sign of insecurity about this issue. They clearly don’t like the fact that the acc has caught up to them. By the way, the southeast doesn’t have the best football, only the most obsessive (as in get a life bubba) fans. The answer to the question, which conference is better… well, that’s obvious…THE BIG TEN baby!

By Dawg Fan

December 2, 2005 08:25 AM | Link to this

First let’s look at the championship games. 10-1 Virginia Tech vs. 7-4 FSU compared to 10-1 LSU vs. 9-2 Georgia. Advantage SEC. Next up is number of bowl eligible teams. ACC has 7 and the SEC has 6. Advantage ACC. Head to head the SEC comes out ahead 3-2, with Vandy, Georgia and Florida winning and Auburn and South Carolina losing. Oddly enough the matchups were pretty even, which is rare for interconference matchups. Advantage, obviously, SEC. In the final regular season BCS rankings both conferences have two in the top 10, but the SEC has a total of four in the top fifteen and leads the total number of ranked teams 5-4. Advantage SEC. The SEC, in a down year, was slightly better this year, at least at the top. The ACC is a little deeper arguably, but when a bunch of teams beat up on each other and go 7-4, 6-5 and 5-6, it’s more a sign of mass mediocrity than quality.

By Indifferent

December 2, 2005 08:27 AM | Link to this

Hey SEC Fans - Don’t underestimate BC. They have an offensive line that rivals some in the NFL. They’ll only get better once they reap the benefits of recruiting in the ACC as opposed to the dreadful Big East. BC did beat Georgia in a bowl in 2001.

By brewerfaninATL

December 2, 2005 08:29 AM | Link to this

Jeff, the ACC has the more recent National Champ than the SEC? What are you talking about? Um, let’s see, LSU won it in 2003, and FSU did it in 1999. Don’t even think about including Miami (from 2001) in the mix because they were in the Big East then. Even then, go back 10 years and you’ll see that the SEC is on top again. (Fla. in 1996, Tenn. in 1998 over FSU by the way, and LSU in 2003) ACC in the past 10 years has FSU in 1999 and that’s it! By the way, nice egg FSU laid vs. Oklahoma back in 2000!

By JEFF

December 2, 2005 08:29 AM | Link to this

LETS SEE, THE ACC VS SEC THIS YEAR, SEC-2 = ACC-1 SO FAR.
UF OVER FSU UGA OVER GT CLEM OVER SC. MY VOTE GOES TO THE SEC TWO TO ONE!

By gdawginkalamazoo

December 2, 2005 08:30 AM | Link to this

Considering that the ACC had to purchase their top three teams from the Big East I would call tight now. The traditional thug football that FSU and Miami played in the past appears to be fading somewhat. It looks as though the SEC might still have a slight edge definitely better future. When the QB is gone from Vick Tech that will fade also.

By gdawginkalamazoo

December 2, 2005 08:38 AM | Link to this

I wouldn’t get too happy about recruiting at BC. I now live closer to South Bend than Athens, GA. They call BC “the other Catholic school”. If you think you have top recruits coming in, think again Touchdown Charlie Weiss will take those recruits now. That was a good bowl game back in 2001. Congrats on the victory but don’t look for it to happen against UGA again anytime soon you guys now have a very tough road ahead to make top level bowl games.

By T-Wag

December 2, 2005 08:39 AM | Link to this

Let’s just match up the teams why don’t we?

That is my opinion on this matter. And a guy earlier said to look at the most recent national championships. LSU ‘03, UT ‘98, UF ‘96, and AU (best team in the country in ‘04). Where were yours? And to GT GRAD, I don’t have to do all those foolish calculations to come to the conclusion that the SEC is better. I just watch a football game and can see who has stronger teams. MORON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By GoldDomer

December 2, 2005 08:40 AM | Link to this

The rest of the country could care less about this question. The SEC is consistently the most overrated football conference every year, but the ACC is quick to puff out their chest although they improved their conference by acquisition and not improving their existing teams. I hope the ACC fans, who are generally more intelligent but less knowledgeable about football, don’t take their current success too much to heart and transform into their significantly more obnoxious neighbors, the SEC fans.

Go IRISH!

By brewerfaninATL

December 2, 2005 08:40 AM | Link to this

Hey Indifferent, get a clue man! BC over UGA in 2001? BC was in the Big East then, so nice try! Also, read my prior post: ACC #3 vs. SEC #5 in the Peach Bowl! There’s a reason for that—-SEC has much better talent than the ACC with much better teams!

By SEC

December 2, 2005 08:42 AM | Link to this

How can you claim the ACC is better than the SEC when Florida State is playing in their championship game? Look at the polls, the SEC edges out the ACC in rankings. The ACC is definitely moving up, but the SEC is hands down a better conference. The SEC has one down year and now all of a sudden the ACC is a better conference? Give me a break!

By Arthur

December 2, 2005 08:43 AM | Link to this

If the SEC is so great, then why didn’t they get another team to win six games so as to not give up the bid to the Music City Bowl. Anyway, the ACC (and ostensibly Georgia Tech) appreciate it.

btw, to everyone crapping on FSU for being in the championship game, UGA is not all that fantastic either. Go LSU.

By Dawg Fan

December 2, 2005 08:44 AM | Link to this

Wow, an Irish fan calling someone else obnoxious and overrated? What was the combined record of your nine patsies this year? **Hint: Michigan was the best of them at 7-4.

By GW

December 2, 2005 08:46 AM | Link to this

There are many arguments here but top to bottom, there are questions concerning bottom feeders. You’ve got half the league in the SEC that is mediocre at best, what with Vandy, Tenn, Arkansas and (gasp) Kentucky, Miss, Miss State.

Alas, time will tell and football may be a wash for now. May be off topic but in terms of basketball it’s not even close and when you look at other intangibles: Money/endowments, prestige, academics, media markets, ACC reigns suprememe over all others.

By GT GRAD

December 2, 2005 08:48 AM | Link to this

A few hard facts to support my previous post and confirm the ACC is the best top to bottom.

Bowl Records: The ACC has the best bowl games winning percentage in the history of college football. The ACC is 16-9 over the past four years which happens to be the best among all BCS conferences and the only conference to have a winning bowl record for 3 of the past 4 years. These numbers only include the bowl records for Miami and VT for the 2004 season; they went 1-1 bye the way. The addition of Miami, VT and BC will only improve the strength of the conference and enhance our bowl record.

Head to Head competition: The ACC has a 61-36 record (.629) against other BCS teams over the past 3 years. The ACC is the only BCS conference which has a winning record against other BCS competition over the past 3 years. We are 22-16 against the SEC, 25-12 against the Big East, 10-5 against the Big 12 and 4-3 against the Pac-10. Once again, this only includes stats for Miami and VT for the 2004 season.

Sagarin Ratings: The ACC was ranked the #1 conference in 2003 and 2004 for sure. If I remember correctly, the ACC was ranked #1 for four of the past five years.

Strength of Schedule: The ACC has one of the toughest strength of schedule rankings almost every year, because we are one of the few conferences which is relatively solid top to bottom and we actually schedule decent or very good teams every year.

Polls: The ACC had 7 different teams ranked in the top 25 in 2004 and 2005. I don’t believe any other conference has had more than 6 in any previous year. By the way, we accomplished this in spite of the media bias which for some unknown reason always underrates the ACC.

I realize this is difficult for most of the hard core SEC fans to believe, but the ACC is the best conference top to bottom and the facts prove this statement. Most of the records and stats listed above only include Miami and VT for the 2004 season, the gap will only grow larger with the recent addition of Miami, VT and BC. The “old” ACC was solid, but the “new” ACC is the best football conference in the country.

By Mike

December 2, 2005 08:54 AM | Link to this

The ACC is a want to be football power! While it has greatly improved, it is still a second place league to the SEC, which is rapidly gaining in basketball, and, dominates in baseball! Those who continue to tout the Big 10, 12 and Pac 10 are just regional bafoons who live on the past! remember those who said Art S. was better than George Rogers for the Heisman! Nuff said!

By wes

December 2, 2005 08:56 AM | Link to this

Well, at least we all know who’s better in basketball.

I’m an ACC fan, but don’t you think its a little bit unfair to rule everything that is college sports related?

I’d say the 2 leagues are pretty darn even (in football) this year. The ACC only had 1 senior QB this year. The SEC had…well…I don’t really know…at least 2, right?

By GLB

December 2, 2005 09:04 AM | Link to this

SEC dominates baseball??? Yeah LSU is a dynasty, but Tech, FSU, and Miami all have really good teams every year.

By brewerfaninATL

December 2, 2005 09:11 AM | Link to this

GT Grad, so the ACC has the better bowl record over the past 4 years, whoop-de-doo! Who do you play in your bowls? Oh yeah, the Big East twice, which sucks, the Pac 10 once, which is overrated outside of USC, the WAC which doesn’t even deserve a comment, your #3 seed vs. an SEC #5 seed, and another one vs. the Big 12, which is another #4 vs. #5 or 6 seed. Even your BCS bowl tie-in is usually vs. an overrated Big 12 (except Texas) team. OK, this year because the Big 12 sucks so bad, you get to play a Big 10 team—-Good luck! Penn State will mop the field with VA Tech, who outside of Miami, haven’t played squat for a schedule this year…and you saw what Miami did to you in their backyard! Go ahead and pound your chest for whipping up on the Boise States, the UConns, the Syracuses, and Fresno States of the world, but when you guys start playing some meaningful bowl games, then talk to me!

By Jack

December 2, 2005 09:13 AM | Link to this

As an ACC fan, I definitely think the ACC has arrived and is equal this year with the SEC. In past years, I wouldn’t have even tried to argue that the ACC was better, and I think that this is the first year ACC fans could make that argument.

But the writing is on the wall, SEC fans, and none of you can deny that. I believe the head to head matchups this year are roughly even if I’m not mistaken.

I think our top tier teams are a wash, but with a new and depleted UF and UT, the SEC is losing some of its luster, and that helps ACC recruiters a lot.

Remember, SEC fans, the football is played on a football field, not in a parking lot with a can of Schaefer’s in your hand…

By brewerfaninATL

December 2, 2005 09:16 AM | Link to this

Oh, and also GT Grad, the Big Ten has kicked your asses in the past 5 years, 11-5! Only crappy Indiana hasn’t beaten your band of losers yet—-but that may change soon!

By UFSWAMPMAN

December 2, 2005 09:17 AM | Link to this

SEC has better balance. Just look at the title games. FSU is in a horrid division.

By 558Dawg

December 2, 2005 09:20 AM | Link to this

I dont understand where the ACC people get there arguments…. SEC has a 10-1 team, 3 9-2 teams, and a 8-3 team…..The ACC is sending a 7-4 team to there Championship??? The ACC also has a 1-10 team(Ga. Southern could propably play on the side)

By Jack

December 2, 2005 09:24 AM | Link to this

Hey, UFSwampman, that just speaks to poor divisional parity. As a GT fan, I wouldn’t mind sending VT or Miami over to the other division to even things up. Would a VT/Miami ACC Championship game make you feel better?

I’m not saying the ACC has eclipsed the SEC just yet, but the writing is definitely on the wall.

We already own basketball, baseball fluctuates year to year, with SEC better last year, and ACC women’s field hockey is hands down winner. Chew on that.

By leon collins

December 2, 2005 09:26 AM | Link to this

ACC is hands down better from top to bottom. Duke might have won one against Vandy, Ole Miss, Kentucky, or Miss. State. This is in football,basketball, golf, and baseball.

By dawgfan#1

December 2, 2005 09:26 AM | Link to this

Let me put it to you like this. 7 Tickets to the SEC Championship section 111 $150 a piece ($200 on empire tickets). 4 tickets to the “Inaugural” ACC championship section 143 worthless. I know because a friend has them. He can’t give them away.

By chuck

December 2, 2005 09:29 AM | Link to this

SEC would have to be the top ranked always. I see where people have said the SEC has had a down year. If the other conferences had to play the quality of teams and beat up on each other the way the SEC does then they could talk about how much better they are. NO ONE plays the schedule against each like the SEC does. The ACC has some good teams no doubt. But when you look at them they only have at the most 2 teams at the time that are quality players each year. Look at FSU, they had a bad year. VT has had a good couple but how long has it been and how long will it last? What other team in the ACC besides Miami and FSU have continually been at the top. Now look back over the years at the SEC. TENNESSE, GEORGIA, FLORIDA, LSU, AUBURN AND ALABAMA. The other conferences have teams that maybe once every 10 years have a good break out team. Then look at the opponents they play. USC played maybe 2 good teams all year. TEXAS played maybe 2 good teams all year. PENN STATE played 2 maybe 3 good teams all year. NOTRE DAME played above their heads this year but played maybe 3 tough games. SEC VS ACC. ALWAYS SEC STRENGTH.

By 558Dawg

December 2, 2005 09:30 AM | Link to this

Jack, dont talk about field hockey in a football blog, because knowbody gives a sh*t about field hockey

By Darren

December 2, 2005 09:32 AM | Link to this

I think I will take the Polls over the Computers and definetly give the nod to the SEC. I know the polls have some human bias’ but the computers just cannot factor in everything that our amazing God given brains can. Can the computers really take into account that GT played Auburn when AU was starting their entire backfield for the very 1st game? I admit the SEC is down this year but look at the coaches the SEC now has, Spurrier, Richt, Tuberville/Borges, Urban Meyer, Miles. This teams are now showing what creative offenses can do and we all know about SEC defense. I admit that the ACC has some good and great teams that improved greatly with the additions of Miami and VT. I just think our brains have the ability to analyze more factors than computers. And BTW, I am an Analyst that relies on computing for decision making in business.

By Jack

December 2, 2005 09:32 AM | Link to this

558dawg: It was a joke, son.

By David Greene

December 2, 2005 09:34 AM | Link to this

The SEC is falling apart! The ACC has better facilities, better stadiums, and better talent! The SEC is stuck in the 90’s, the ACC is the conference of today. Teams like UT, UF, UT, AU, UA, uga, could never hand with VT, FSU, um, UVA, BC, CU. Sorry kids, the days of the almighty SEC have past!

By 558Dawg

December 2, 2005 09:34 AM | Link to this

my bad Jack

By BigBob

December 2, 2005 09:35 AM | Link to this

Even on an off year the SEC. LSU is better than any team the ACC can pull from it’s swampbutt, heck Georgia and Bama are better than any ACC team. The ACC is for girly men, not that there is anything wrong with being a girlyman.

By phil

December 2, 2005 09:35 AM | Link to this

By far there is no question as to who has the best conference. The SEC has more everything … including wins!

By Jack

December 2, 2005 09:35 AM | Link to this

To all SEC fans with blinders on:

This question has nothing to do with:

1) How good your coaches are 2) How many people Neyland Stadium holds 3) How loud fans can woof, gator chomp, or roll their tides. 4) Which conf. was better last year or will be better next year. 5) Which conference sells more tickets.

Stay on message, please.

By jackets fan

December 2, 2005 09:38 AM | Link to this

I think this year’s records and stats speak for themselves. The SEC has had a perception gap for a while now, between how good the conference was in reality vs. what people thought about the conference. No doubt in my mind that the SEC has better fans and traditions than most conferences, but that is not really the question. On the field, which conference was better this year? The ACC was. The reason is that the ACC has been on the offensive, making changes to improve the league. The SEC has stagnated. Plus the SEC has a scheduling problem. They consistently schedule more non-conference home games with no return game, and against inferior conferences. That’s why they’ve been left behind. Sure Tennessee has had big non-conf opponents, and LSU played at Arizona St (was supposed to be at LSU but moved due to hurricane) and Arkansas went to USC (bad idea). But when was the last time UGA played west of the Mississippi or north of Kentucky? I have to give credit to Damon Evans, he’s trying to change that by scheduling Colorado and looking for a series with UCLA. But up to this point, the SEC has dodged top competition, using the SEC battle cry of “we play in the SEC, that’s a tough enough schedule.” But the numbers say otherwise. There are more bad teams in the SEC than the ACC or Big Ten.

On another note. There are only two teams in the country who have two wins over teams that are currently ranked in the top ten (in any of the polls). Can you guess the two teams?

USC and………

Georgia Tech!!! Most of the teams in the top ten didn’t even play more than one team that has ended up in the top ten. Ohio State and USC are the only ones. Ohio State lost both of their games against the top ten, Texas and Penn State, while USC beat Oregon and Notre Dame. Tech beat Miami and Auburn. I think that explains why Tech, despite the loss to UGA, managed to hang on to a top 25 ranking.

By Jack

December 2, 2005 09:39 AM | Link to this

Sorry, I’ll take Miami or VT over LSU any day. Auburn is the best team in the ACC, and I think THEY could play with Miami or VT, but no one else.

By Bill

December 2, 2005 09:40 AM | Link to this

The point you miss, and of course you miss it on purpose, is that the only thing that makes this even close are the new ACC additions (in which I include FSU).

So if you want to talk about how good Miami and VT and FSU are, thats fine and well. But I’m not of a mind to hear someone from Tech or Wake or UNC blather on about how tough the ACC is, because the real ACC is every bit the creampuff conference it was when the FSU chicken crossed the road to join the ACC.

This is a down year for the SEC. I agree. On down years the SEC still has 5 Top 25 teams.

By Jack

December 2, 2005 09:41 AM | Link to this

Auburn is the best in the SEC, that is.

By navada magness

December 2, 2005 09:42 AM | Link to this

The ACC IS NOT FOOTBALL more round ball. But they did do something better than SEC, they made football league news when they bought the best in the east. We call that prostitution. but they have improved their teams.

By David Greene

December 2, 2005 09:43 AM | Link to this

gdawginkalamazoo “The traditional thug football that FSU ” Thug football at FSU? So you think uga is Harvard of the South. You are lying to yourself if you thing uga is a class act program!

By Karen

December 2, 2005 09:44 AM | Link to this

Over the course of its history, the SEC has been the BEST and still is! We have had consistently stronger teams in the top 25. It’s a conference that always plays on both sides of the football, both offense and defense. JUST FACE IT, THE SEC RULES!

By 558Dawg

December 2, 2005 09:44 AM | Link to this

Jackets Fan, your team is 7-4 so stop talking, Your co-conference champion is 7-4 so stop talking, A bunch of 7-4 teams doesnt make your conference great, so stop talking…And the worst team in both Conferences belong to the ACC (Duke), so stop talking

By Jack

December 2, 2005 09:45 AM | Link to this

Sorry, but the middle of the ACC is certainly better than the SEC. A whole slew of mediocre teams and mediocre talent.

As for claiming superiority based upon the ACC’s new addition, why not? That’s why we added them, to get better. We are now a better conference because we added better teams. See how that works?

Don’t look now, SEC fans, but you’re conference is getting left behind and the recruits will soon follow.

By Thomas Martin

December 2, 2005 09:48 AM | Link to this

What short memories the ACC people have! Two years ago (before stabbing the Big East in the back) the ACC was about to lose their BCS spot. Now that they have bribed Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College to join their so-called elite group, they think they have bragging rights to the best football conference? No way, year in and year out the SEC is the toughest conference in America! I suppose the ACC will go after LSU, Georgia, Alabama, etc. next.

By Jack

December 2, 2005 09:48 AM | Link to this

I’d rather have a bunch of 7-4 teams than a bunch of 1-9 or 2-8 teams…

By John

December 2, 2005 09:49 AM | Link to this

Only in the ACC do they force fans to go into the stadium instead of continuing to tailgate outside of it. Nuff daid.

By Kevin

December 2, 2005 09:49 AM | Link to this

BIG 10! The SEC is the best conference for football, but sucks in basketball. The ACC sucks in football, but excellent for basketball with Duke and North Carolina and the rest of the conference sucks.
Football Basketball 1. SEC 1. Big Ten 2. Big Ten 2. ACC 3. ACC 3. Big East 4. Big East 4. SEC

By JP

December 2, 2005 09:50 AM | Link to this

The SEC’s best teams continue to beat the ACC’s best teams. The ACC should stick to basketball.

By 558Dawg

December 2, 2005 09:50 AM | Link to this

Jack the SEC doesnt have any 1-9 teams or 2-8 teams, but you do have a 1-10 team, I wouldnt want you to forget that

By John

December 2, 2005 09:52 AM | Link to this

Only in the ACC do they have to force fans to go into the stadium to watch the game instead of continuing to tailgate outside of it. ‘Nuff said.

By Jack

December 2, 2005 09:52 AM | Link to this

Mr. Martin: Of course we brag now. We have become the better conference. We went out and got better teams. The SEC could do the same. Maybe drop UK, Vandy, Ms. St. and pick up Louisville, Mizzou, and, hmmm, I dunno, Agnes Scott.

By Bobby

December 2, 2005 09:55 AM | Link to this

The SEC is definitely the better, stronger conference. The additions to the ACC have made it a stronger, and they only came in because they would have easy wins over the original schools. Wonder how long it will be before the Atlanta trade school pulls out like it did from the SEC.

By Jack

December 2, 2005 09:57 AM | Link to this

558: Sorry I should have referred to the two 1-7 conf. records and the two 2-6 teams.

By GT GRAD

December 2, 2005 09:57 AM | Link to this

In response to Mr. T-Wag:

You have a warped sense of reality if you truly believe the following has been true over the past 10-15 year period:

UGA has been better than Miami. Auburn has been better than FSU. Vandy has been better than Virginia. Arkansas has been better than NC State. Ole Miss has been better than NC.

I know more about the game of football than you would like to believe. I played the game and I actually watch ACC games and SEC games (I wonder how many ACC games you have actually watched or attended in your entire life??).

The biggest problem I have with the majority of the SEC fans is that they have a strong bias (due to a narrow viewpoint) and they fail to give credence to the accomplishments of other conferences.

The SEC is a good conference, but the conference is just simply not as strong (top to bottom) as most SEC fans would like to believe. The top 5-6 SEC teams always have winning records, but the wins generally come from poor competition. The only losses they incur are generally to each other because they typically do not play any tough teams outside of the SEC. Look at UGA for instance (I watch most of the UGA games): UGA usually finishes 8-3 or 9-2, but they rarely beat solid teams because the only decent teams they play are Fla, Tenn, Aub & GT. The remainder of the schedule typically consists of easy games which UGA should win. This is the reason why SEC teams sometimes get overlooked for national championship games and the conference rankings are generally lowerer than most SEC fans would like to see.

By Dan

December 2, 2005 09:58 AM | Link to this

How can you compare the Almost Competitive Conference with the SEC. Remember the show down of the Gators and Noles. Noles got spanked, and they are the best the ACC has going for their championship. What an embarrasment!!!! SEC is best, and the GATORS are a good reason why. Oh yeah, they beat the dogs too….

By Bill

December 2, 2005 09:59 AM | Link to this

Hey Jack:

“As for claiming superiority based upon the ACC’s new addition, why not? That’s why we added them, to get better. We are now a better conference because we added better teams. See how that works?”

Here’s the problem. the rest of the ACC isn’t getting any better. All you did was invite some bullies in to run roughshod over the geeks. For there to be a proof of concept, a traditional ACC school needs to become a football power. There is only one such school that looks remotely positioned to do so. And that is Georgia Tech. Great wins on the road at Auburn and Miami.Time will tell whether they can ratchet it up. But until they (or UNC, Maryland, UVA, Duke, Wake, State, or Clemson) does so, the impression of an outsider is that VT, Miami, and FSU found themselves a nice little sandbox to play in.

By David Greene

December 2, 2005 10:00 AM | Link to this

Thomas Martin “I suppose the ACC will go after LSU, Georgia, Alabama, etc. next” Maybe LSU or Alabama, but uga? hahahaha! And the ACC was never in jeopardy to loose the BCS, but since you are an SEC fan I can understand you’re jealous since the Big East is now better than the SEC!

By GT fan

December 2, 2005 10:03 AM | Link to this

Good comments GT Grad. Just look at UGA’s schedule this year, 5 total games against teams with a winning record, and 2 of those games were against teams outside of the conference.

By Dawg Fan

December 2, 2005 10:04 AM | Link to this

I’d also like to point out that conference strength arguments aside, and I really don’t care who is actually stronger, Georgia hasn’t lost to an ACC team since 2000.

By Jack

December 2, 2005 10:05 AM | Link to this

The “old ACC” may not have fared very well against the “new ACC” this year, but GT did beat Miami and several teams beat BC. FSU was down, but ACC teams did beat them.

Also, why are SEC people continually trying to parse out the new from the old? It’s all one conference now. Deal with it.

By Jon Nagy

December 2, 2005 10:05 AM | Link to this

ACC fans - What a bunch of wishful thinkers!! Botom-line is the gap has closed a little but there is still a sizeable gap. The ACC cannot field 6 teams nearly as strong as the SEC. The bottom-tier teams in the SEC are also much better than the ACC. If NC, NC State, WF, VA, etc. had to play teams the caliber of the SEC top tier, then they would likely only have 2-3 wins as well. UF destroyed FSU and UGA handled GT with ease. AU would also have handled GT easily if they played nearer the end of the season instead of the first of the season (when AU had a brand-new Q-back). This year, UM and VT are the only teams in the ACC that can compete with the top six teams in the SEC.

By gdawginkalamazoo

December 2, 2005 10:07 AM | Link to this

David Greene, Yes, traditional THUG football, FSU and Miami. I didn’t knock your academics or your institutions (I think both are great), just the football programs and the way they had recruited and played football in the past. As I mentioned it appears that in the past couple of years that has started to change. PS Just so you know I hope you guys stomp Vick Tech Saturday. Good luck.

By Jack

December 2, 2005 10:08 AM | Link to this

“Here’s the problem. the rest of the ACC isn’t getting any better. All you did was invite some bullies in to run roughshod over the geeks.”

Not exactly. What we did was invite admittedly better teams into our conference to make us a - wait for it - better conference. Playing better competition makes you play better. Hence GT manning up and beating Miami.

The SEC gets shunned from the polls because no one knows how good or bad you really are because you play your games in a very large bubble that extends south from Kentucky and west from Louisiana.

By Jack

December 2, 2005 10:12 AM | Link to this

UGA handled GT with ease?

Man, you must not have watched the game. UGA fans KNEW they were lucky to get out of ATL with a win. They beat GT fair and square, no doubt, but to say with ease ignores the fact that it was 7-7 for almost 50 minutes of the game. Try again.

By The truth

December 2, 2005 10:13 AM | Link to this

The SEC has historically been the stronger of the two conferences, but no more. The ACC is the all-around better conference. Die hard SEC fans will never accept this truth, but it doesn’t matter what an SEC fan accepts. Both conferences are outstanding, but the truth is the truth, and the ACC right now and today, top to bottom, is the better of the two conferences.

By TheTruth

December 2, 2005 10:14 AM | Link to this

Congrats ACC. You went from a 1 horse conference with a champion called FSU each year to a 3 horse conference that will have a champion named FSU,Miami,or Va.Tech every year.

By SEC Fan

December 2, 2005 10:19 AM | Link to this

Hey ACC, we’ll trade you Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Kentucky for VA Tech, Miami, Florida State, and GA Tech.

That way you can watch intriging weekly matchups such as Duke at Vanderbilt!! or Ole Miss at Wake Forest!!

Meanwhile in the SEC, we will have the great games with the top powers in the nation playing each other weekly as it should be.

Sounds like a winner! What do you think?

By Jack

December 2, 2005 10:21 AM | Link to this

SEC Fan: What’s your point?

Also, thanks for including GT among the elite in the ACC. Very astute…

By DrT

December 2, 2005 10:25 AM | Link to this

The Truth is right. In the SEC each and every year there are 6 teams capable of winning the title, 7 now that Mr. Spurrier has come home. The ACC is still a 3 team conference, up from 1. Though the games are more interesting and the ACC has greater interest now, it is still the above mentioned 3 and the rest with no chance to win the title. The only way anyone else will even sniff the ACC championship is if the big 3 gets put in the same division.

By J

December 2, 2005 10:26 AM | Link to this

The ACC???? HaHaHaHa. Is there a real question here? The SEC has bad offenses?? Maybe, look at the stat rankings here, the SEC is comprised of the best defenses in the country? Just a thought, but not a personal opinion. Please don’t tell me that you think Ga.Tech, Clemson, and who else? are compared to that of consistent top SEC caliber every year.
FSU, Miami, Va.Tech - ok? Now take LSU, Auburn, Georgia and let’s mention the other ranked quality SEC schools - Bama, Florida, and (minus this one year) Tennessee. The SEC does not worry about who has a better conference, only the lowly have to look upward to daydream.

By Spanky

December 2, 2005 10:32 AM | Link to this

I guess this dispute would come in handy, if you were preparing to whine! Both conferences have their shares of stallions and ponies….When there’s a “superior conference” award, then I’ll give a s^^t.

By Indifferent

December 2, 2005 10:35 AM | Link to this

gdawginkalamazoo - What do you know about BC’s recruiting vs. ND? Do you think that BC only recruits Catholic athletes? BTW - I lived close to BC and they call ND “the other Catholic School”. Big freaking deal. What does that have to do with BC’s recruiting?

The last I checked the “mighty Quinn” lost to BC last year.

UGA fans kill me, how many UGA fans actually went to that trade school? Most people in GA who claim to love UGA never even attended the school, let alone complete high school. Gimme a break!

I especially love it when someone who attended Georgia Southern or other 2nd rate GA schools proclaim their love of UGA.

By John

December 2, 2005 10:43 AM | Link to this

The game day experience at Clemson is right out of a Norman Rockwell painting! The game rivals an NFL game. Forget the SEC it’s always overated from the get go.

By Joe McLain

December 2, 2005 10:47 AM | Link to this

If you are a fan of a team, what difference does it make if you went to that college or not? If I received a diploma from Georgia State does that make mean that I can only be a basketball fan and football is off limits because they only have a basketball team?

On the topic, the SEC is truly a tougher conference than the ACC. That’s why the ACC copied the conference layout. End of story.

By TIGERLOWE

December 2, 2005 10:57 AM | Link to this

At first I thought this was a joke question,but some of you guys out there really do take the ACC seriously!The ACC is a pimple on the A$$ of the SEC.The SEC’s #6 team(Florida)pimp slapped reality into Papa Bowden’s boys,who are playing in what game this week?Oh yeah,is it the ACC Championship game.You have to go to the #10 team in the SEC to find a losing record over the last 5 years.National champs-3 in the last 10 years…ACC-1.You boys got a great basketball conference and bought yourselves some good football teams from the Big East but your still sniffing the SEC’s A$$.GEAUX TIGERS

By SEC Fan

December 2, 2005 11:06 AM | Link to this

“Now take LSU, Auburn, Georgia and let’s mention the other ranked quality SEC schools - Bama, Florida, and (minus this one year) Tennessee…”

As a BAMA fan I personally loved that sentence. ROLL TIDE!!!

By Greg J

December 2, 2005 11:23 AM | Link to this

Without a doubt, the SEC. The Southeastern conference has played that hardnosed brand of football for decades. How can you compare a conference that just recently caught the pollsters attention? The SEC has longevity, BABY!

By Monica Devon

December 2, 2005 11:28 AM | Link to this

Hey! All ACC fans you can debate this thing as far as you can, however, the truth cannot be hidden as the sun can’t be hidden by a scarf. If you telling me Rvs and fans have nothing to do with conference strength you just an ignorant idiot! like the GT grad. You say (ACC fans) Arkansas and South Carolina are bad teams! Let me tell you you have a crack in your brain! you smoke too much weeds. Arkansas can beat any team in the ACC but not Vtech, Miami, Florida state, Virginia, NCst, are all overrated, very overrated. Only VT can match SEC top teams, the rest are b******.

You are insane if you compare Miami, Florida state, BC to Georgia, LSU, auburn, Alabama, Florida and Tennessee. Next year at least 9 teams from the SEC will go bowling.

By gdawginkalamazoo

December 2, 2005 11:31 AM | Link to this

Indifferent, That is what ND is saying. Being Catholic would have nothing to do with recruiting. However, if an athlete is considering a Catholic University and pro football career they would need to get something called exposure, nationwide TV, unless they are extememly blessed with standout talent. So let’s drop the religious part of this I don’t argue religion (that is a personal belief and we shouldn’t get personal).
That said, please don’t get the notion that now being a member of the ACC will get you better recruits or better recruiting than ND. Charlie Wei$$ is going to clean a lot of teams clocks when it comes to recruiting UGA, SEC, PAC 10 included. BC won’t, BC has a long way to go to load up on enough talent to be competitive with the top tier ACC (old Big East) teams.
Anyway, regarding being a fan of UGA or any state university for that matter does not require a degree from that school. Tax dollars are a large of funding for UGA, GT, etc. So if you pay taxes in the state of Georgia you are more than welcome to cheer for any team you like as long as you like and you can switch loyalties anytime you like.

By LEW HEGE

December 2, 2005 11:35 AM | Link to this

I have been writing college football for the past 37 years. The SEC has been and is superior tot he ACC, hands down.

Lew Hege Southeast Sports Syndicate Raleigh, NC

By Indifferent

December 2, 2005 11:41 AM | Link to this

gdawginkalamazoo - You’re points are all valid with the exception that BC has a long way to go before they stock up enough talent to be competitive in the ACC. Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t BC tie FSU for first in the Atlantic Conference and should have beaten FSU as they dominated them for 3 qtrs until BC lost their QB to injury. BC has been ranked in the Top 25 all season.

BC’s offensive line is better than any in the SEC and their two RB’s are comparable to any in the ACC. Check out where BC ranks in overall defense in the nation.

By HokieHarry

December 2, 2005 11:47 AM | Link to this

In a comparison of the top rated teams there’s not much difference. Top to bottom the SEC has the edge. The length of time the SEC has been in existence gives an edge to them in overall appeal but the ACC has its spots and experiences.

By Imdifferent

December 2, 2005 12:04 PM | Link to this

What is all this talk about BC? You think because they beat the dawgs a few years ago (when the dawgs fielded one of their weakest teams in the last two decades) that gives you the right or ability to discuss football with fans of one of the true elite programs in the nation? BC would not beat any of the top six teams ion the SEC and would probably also lose to ARK, Tenn and Vandy.

By Indifferent

December 2, 2005 12:09 PM | Link to this

Imdifferent - You’re funny! UGA would never schedule BC as an out of conference opponent. BC is too strong. Instead UGA would rather play Middle Tenn or Louisanna-Monroe.

UGA elite program? HA, good one. Elite programs don’t go to the Capitol One Bowl.

By TIGERLOWE

December 2, 2005 12:13 PM | Link to this

Thanks LEW,I knew there was a voice of reson out there……..Indifferent:As per the College Football News…..Best Offensive Lines in the nation,#2 Georgia,#4 LSU,#7 BC,#9 Arkansas…….By conference #1 SEC,#4 ACC.

By gdawginkalamazoo

December 2, 2005 12:16 PM | Link to this

First, I missed Spanky’s email. Best point made so far. When they give an award for the best conference and there is a definitive way to determine it we can argue that like we argue the BCS. Indifferent, you should have beaten FSU, depth has a lot to do with that and that takes time to develope. Free Shoes has been developing a long time. It would be nice to see someone else overtake Miami and FSU and Vick Tech and if it is BC fine with me.

By godawg

December 2, 2005 12:18 PM | Link to this

Any program that consistently finishes in the top 20 and regularly in the top 10, I would consider to be among the elite. WOOF! WOOF!

By Imdifferent

December 2, 2005 12:22 PM | Link to this

Indifferent - for someone with your handle you sure have a lot of opinions. Why would UGA want to schedule BC? UGA typically plays one of the ten toughest schedules in the nation (as rated by Sagarin or polls - you pick). In addition to playing a conference schedule that usually includes 3-4 top ten teams, they have their annual tussle (granted it’s usually a cake-walk) with Tech. They will usually also schedule a mid-tier team - Clemson, Boise, Marshall (next year they step it up to Colorado who is playing in the Big 12 championship). If BC was the caliber of a Colorado UGA might consider playing them. However, Because UF is always in Jax, they don’t need a home and home with anyone. They can make a lot more money playing teams in Athens in front of 93,000 fans. How big a stadium does BC have - 50,000 maybe? Hardly will pay UGA’s travel costs. Furthermore, why would any self-respecting southerner want to go play football in Boston? Way to cold and ugly - much greener and prettier down here.

By brewerfaninATL

December 2, 2005 12:23 PM | Link to this

Indifferent, you are funny! The Capital One Bowl is a heck of alot better than the crappy Gator Bowl where you get to play a real winner from the Big East! Or how about that winner of a bowl game, the Champs Sports Bowl where your #4 gets to play a #5 or 6 Big 12 team (probably Iowa state or Kansas—be still my heart!) Capital One Bowl is just one notch below the BCS bowls. Get your facts straight and watch as your beloved ACC gets b***-slapped by not only Penn State, but either Minnesota or Northwestern in the Music City Bowl! Oh well, go ahead and pound your chest as you may win the MPC Computers Bowl against Boise State or Fresno State—-then again, maybe you won’t!

By Get a life

December 2, 2005 12:42 PM | Link to this

UGA is about as elite as a twinkie is good for you.

By brewerfaninATL

December 2, 2005 12:50 PM | Link to this

Oh yeah, GA Tech is a real winner, or Clemson, NC STate, BC, Virginia, FSU…come on, get a life! UGA, LSU, Auburn, Alabama are all better than your #1 team…probably Fla. and SC too, for that matter.

By Christopher Webb

December 2, 2005 01:08 PM | Link to this

The ACC Conference has to be considered the “New Bully On The Block”! Nearly throughout the whole season, the ACC had more teams ranked in the Top 25 than any other conference. There is a wide range of play styles from in your face football like Clemson and NC State. Too fast paced flashy extravaganza like Miami, Virgina Tech and Florida State. Also you can take a mid-level ranked ACC team (Georgia Tech)and have them compete against the self proclaimed SEC power house (Georgia) and the game is at a stand still until the last 4 minutes of the game. All of you SEC fans can continue to fool yourselves but the ACC is here to stay!! And by the way “Go Canes!!”

By SEC Fan

December 2, 2005 01:33 PM | Link to this

“Go Canes” - you slay me.

Still have nightmares of playing lil ol Alabama?

I wish BAMA WOULD jump to the ACC. We would definitely have an easier road to more national championships!!!!

By Island Dawg

December 2, 2005 02:02 PM | Link to this

The quality of our game days, stadiums,and fans is what makes the SEC year in and year out the conference with the highest rated recruiting classes. So yes, these points are relevant to this discussion. The SEC is vastly superior even compared to the ACC and its newly purchased mercenaries, in which category I continue to include the ‘Noles.

By Ugotta B. Kidding

December 2, 2005 02:03 PM | Link to this

If I read it correctly, the guy whose computer formula ranks the BCS teams, said that Oklahoma played the toughest schedule in the country this year. HUH??? Granted the teams on their schedule were 78-42. At first glance that looks mighty impressive…but when you look at who all these teams beat WELL……. This guy must be a real computer geek that doesn’t know a damn thing about college football. Hell if you play Ray City and Alapaha or a few midget league teams you should have a winning record. The BCS rankings are a total joke. I’ve followed college football for over 40 years and for those ACC fans that think just because you picked up a couple of pretty good teams that you’re superior to the SEC, I’ve got some really good land to sell you down here in South Georgia on the Okefenokee coast…

By GTVegas

December 2, 2005 02:04 PM | Link to this

Spanky - I hate to say it, but we agree entirely on the point of this Blog. I probably wouldn’t have stated it as bluntly as you did, but the whole time I wasted reading this, I thought “who cares - what’s the point?”

I think Tony just saw a very easy way to get out of writing something meaningful while at the same time causing a ruckus that has no way of resolution.

Go Dawgs (I do not like LSU).

By gdawginkalamazoo

December 2, 2005 02:09 PM | Link to this

Indifferent, We are getting closer to scheduling BC as out of conference. Look at who we just scheduled Cincinnati. No more LA-Monroes or MTSU. Lookout, we are heading North. See you in 2075.

By SN

December 2, 2005 02:12 PM | Link to this

A school or conference is measured by its academic standards. High profile sports are marketing tools to draw students to look at the school for an education. When the students analysis the academic currriculm and standard. ACC wins hands down!!!! SN

By Imdifferent

December 2, 2005 02:12 PM | Link to this

Yes - UGA is an elite program. A program can best be measured by the level of its competition and how it fares against said competition. Here is a partial list (tried to focus on major powers and/or name recognition) of the schools that UGA has a current win streak against.

Texas Notre Dame Ohio State Michigan Florida State Alabama LSU Tennessee USC UCLA Purdue Wisconsin Clemson Ga Tech (is it really 15 years since they beat us legitimately?)

I could go on much more. But I think my point has been made. Now I have a question for you - What other “Elite” program can claim a list this?

By Tripp

December 2, 2005 02:13 PM | Link to this

How can anyone say the ACC is better? All of your best teams have joined the conference within the 10-15 years. With the exception of 3 defections (Ga. Tech, Tulane, Sewanee) and 2 additions (Arkansas and South Carolina), the SEC has kept it’s core power teams. When was the last time an original ACC member won the football conference title outright? Let me give you a clue; it was before Florida State joined the conference.

By gdawginkalamazoo

December 2, 2005 02:18 PM | Link to this

SN, This is a football blog. Go to the Nobel.org page if you want to argue academics.

By Ugotta B. Kidding

December 2, 2005 02:23 PM | Link to this

SN — That’s analyze, not analysis!!! Sorry. Professor Ugotta B. Kidding

By CHEEKS HARRIS

December 2, 2005 02:24 PM | Link to this

I like both the ACC and SEC, but I prefer the SEC. I went to college in Alabama-not UA- and I just think the SEC has more talent, better coaching, better rivalries, etc. Plus I’m partial to UGA, LSU, Auburn, Mississippi State and most of the other schools. Remember, Vanderbilt had a good season this year after stinking for the past few years. Who did that in the ACC?

By BA

December 2, 2005 02:24 PM | Link to this

I think all of us SEC fans arguing about how we both have five teams in the top 25 should note we actually have five in the top 20. We could get into the NFL players debate, which would be a good one with Miami being included. Not so much with only FSU. SEC would win that debate. As for stadiums and attendence, SEC. I think what people fail to realize is when Tech got Auburn early it won, but lost when it got UGA late. I am pretty sure Auburn would win now. Most ACC wins over SEC teams came early in the season when they are usually easier before teams get into rhythym. SEC victories were at the end. I don’t believe a historic argument can be made for the ACC. National Championship debate is a laugh. Coaching edge: SEC. I would also take my mid-tiered Urban Myers and Steve Spurriers over Tommy Bowdens and Chuck Amatos.

By Ugotta B. Kidding

December 2, 2005 02:38 PM | Link to this

I think this is great we can go online and jaw back & forth about who has the best team or toughest conference. If we’d had this when I was younger, Hell I wouldn’t have ever got anything done. Just a thought…and by the way, SN…it’s curriculUm. (JUST KIDDING)!

By John

December 2, 2005 02:40 PM | Link to this

Hey dawg fan up north. UGA also scheduled the ASU Sun Devils home and away——UGA is about to have their bell rung.

By Justin

December 2, 2005 02:48 PM | Link to this

The geography of the SEC makes sense, unlike the ACC stretching from Miami to Boston. The matchups are actual rivalries that are highly contested and full of history, not the manufactured, makeshift ACC that decided to expand to cash in. You will never trump the history, the excitement, and the level of play of the SEC. C’mon, your first championship game is a complete snoozer.

By mike

December 2, 2005 02:51 PM | Link to this

TRADITION AND FACILITIES NEVER SCORED A POINT. WHEN VANDERBILT IS A CONTENDER, YOUR CONFERENCE IS DOWN.

By SEC Fan

December 2, 2005 02:56 PM | Link to this

Talk about tradition!

I really look forward to those Thursday night ESPN GA Tech vs. “anybody they can schedule from lower Carolina”.

or those compelling regional battles such as Clemson vs. Boston College. Now that gets the Mason-Dixon blood boiling!

I hear Rutgers is interested in joining the ACC. Yeah! Some New Jersey action!!!! They probably wont be accepted as they would be too good for 2/3 or the current lineup.

By Tripp

December 2, 2005 02:59 PM | Link to this

It’s been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flatery. The SEC had it’s first Conference Championship Game in 1992. The ACC has it’s first on December 3, 2005. Geez, it you guys long enough.

By Tripp

December 2, 2005 02:59 PM | Link to this

It’s been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flatery. The SEC had it’s first Conference Championship Game in 1992. The ACC has it’s first on December 3, 2005. Geez, it took you guys long enough.

By mike

December 2, 2005 03:00 PM | Link to this

NOTHING MATCHES THAT GEORGIA VS LOUISIANNA MONROE GAME, OR THAT GEORGIA VS BOISE STATE GAME. YOU SURE SHOWED THOSE MID MAJOR SCHOOLS WHO IS BOSS! DID THAT GET YOUR MASON DIXON BOILING ON THAT ONE? MAYBE IT WAS THAT VANDERBILT GAME THEN.

By gdawginkalamazoo

December 2, 2005 03:03 PM | Link to this

John, Get our bell rung? ASU? Yes Georgia has a bell at the Chapel on campus that gets rung after every victory. So okay what’s your point?

By SEC Fan

December 2, 2005 03:06 PM | Link to this

Hey Mike,

You mistook me for a Georgia fan. In defense of UGA at least GA vs. Vanderbilt is played with two states that border each other! As for your dislike of UGA schedule youll need to speak to the almighty Vincent Dooley (or Barbara) to address that!!!!

By mike

December 2, 2005 03:08 PM | Link to this

MY APPOLOGIES SEC FAN. I KNEW YOU DIDN’T SOUND THAT OBNOXIOUS.

By SEC Fan

December 2, 2005 03:12 PM | Link to this

No, Im just an obnoxious BAMA fan, universally hated and envied by all my SEC brothers pretty equally but I give an edge to poor Tennessee and the barners from Auburn.

Now, back to why the ACC sucks!

By mike

December 2, 2005 03:12 PM | Link to this

ALL OF THIS TALK ABOUT THE GREAT DEFENSE IN THE SEC, AUBURN SURE DIDN’T HAVE A PROBLEM SCORING. BUT THEY DID HAVE TROUBLE WITH TECH, THIRD PLACE IN THE ACC. COME TO THINK OF IT GEORGIA HAD THEIR WORST OFFENSIVE OUTPUT AGAINST TECH TOO.

By Al Davis

December 2, 2005 03:16 PM | Link to this

Too bad all that Tech defense didn’t payoff on the scoreboard.

By SEC Fan

December 2, 2005 03:19 PM | Link to this

Mike

You have my full support when Tech plays Auburn. I think I enjoyed that game more than any other this year.

By mike

December 2, 2005 03:20 PM | Link to this

SEC FAN I WILL SAY THAT BAMA FANS WERE VERY CLASSY WHEN I WENT TO A GAME THIS FALL AGAINST SOUTHERN MISS. I DID GO WITH TWO DAWG FANS WHO WERE VERY SHOCKED THAT BAMA FANS DIDN’T ACT OBNOXIOUS LIKE GEORGIA FANS AFTER A WIN. AND THOSE ARE THE WORDS OF A GEORGIA FAN. I GUESS AN ELEPHANT DOESN’T BARK.

By SEC Fan

December 2, 2005 03:28 PM | Link to this

We have our losers just like any other school anywhere. Its part of the territory in college football. We also have many fans who never set foot on campus as die-hards, much like I see here in GA.

Consider this: you will NEVER see BAMA fans tear down goalposts after big wins. We win gracefully and when defeated, take the loss the same way.

We want to see the schools with real tradition come back strong (Notre Damn and Penal State come to mind first).

What irritates me about much of the ACC is the johnny come latelys like Miami and VA Tech, who never were worth a damn until the 1990s. According to them youd think they had decades of bowl wins and championships.

By Boss

December 2, 2005 03:30 PM | Link to this

Mike, we’re having a party over here tonight and see from some of your blogs that you seem to know alot about the pizza delivery business. How about bringing us 4 large Pepperoni and some Buffalo wings.

By wes

December 2, 2005 03:40 PM | Link to this

Well, after sifting through this blog, one thing is certainly clear to the educated eye: When comparing those who support these 2 highly esteemed conferences, its apparent that ACC fans are far superior spellers who demonstrate more efficient control over the English language.

By Al Davis

December 2, 2005 03:43 PM | Link to this

You may be right about Va. Tech, but Miami has experienced quite a bit of success and several titles in the last 2 decades. Remember Howard Schnellenberger, Jimmie Johnson,Dennis Erickson,Butch Davis, et al.

By SEC Fan

December 2, 2005 03:51 PM | Link to this

Ok Al:

Miami has been good since late 1980’s. Great.

By bruce

December 2, 2005 03:57 PM | Link to this

LSU Tigers of the SEC….2003 National Champions….enough said!

By Al Davis

December 2, 2005 04:08 PM | Link to this

SEC Fan! Please don’t mistake me for an ACC fan. I was just remembering when Miami started their rise to prominence. The ACC isn’t a pimple on an SEC teams posterior. And I find it amusing that the hired guns that the ACC bought from the Big East now dominate the conference. That should tell all the brainiacs in the ACC that they were not even a pimple on the Big East’s posterior. How long will it be before an original ACC team other than FSU plays in a title game? A long,long,time.

By Spanky

December 2, 2005 04:09 PM | Link to this

Okay, Wes,..better spellers?! Fine!! The ACC is now to be called “The best spellers in college football!”…Happy now?

By Al Davis

December 2, 2005 04:12 PM | Link to this

wes must be a Tech fan Spanky. When you can’t win football games, have a spelling bee. (no pun intended)

By gdawginkalamazoo

December 2, 2005 04:14 PM | Link to this

Spanky & Wes, Okay the ACC is only better at spelling now that they bought spell checkers from the Big East conference. SEC has always been better at punctuation & conjugation of verbs. Look at the Sagarin rankings for that bit of info.

By SEC Fan

December 2, 2005 04:19 PM | Link to this

Leonard’s Loser……the Assembled Cockeyed Conference!!!!!

By ramblerlady

December 2, 2005 04:32 PM | Link to this

I am a lady and I agree with David Greene Acc is more excited and going to all this football,basketball and baseball over 30 years ,I found SEC is so boring.

By Dawg82

December 2, 2005 05:00 PM | Link to this

As usual, the Tech Daily Media Guide was as ACC-biased as the news media is liberal.

Your article missed one area where the SEC is unquestionably superior: TRADITION.

The powers in the SEC, Georgia, Auburn, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee and LSU have all been in the conference 50+ years.

Meanwhile, in the ACC you have the two-year tradition of Virginia Tech and Miami. Wow. The Chicken that crossed the road to the ACC way back in 1992, FSU, had dominated a weak nine-team conference until the ACC bribed away the best teams from the Big East.

With the exception of Clemson and an occasional fluke year from Tech or UNC, the ACC “traditional powers” were essentially a collection of homecoming opponents for real conferences - like the SEC.

By i <3 them 'dawgs

December 2, 2005 06:02 PM | Link to this

The ACC still has DECADES and DECADES of football to be played in order to compare the two… the ACC has never had a herschel Walker or a Boe Jackson.. the Sec has not rele had a “down” year they just have this thing called DEFENSE!!!!! and therefor games are going to be close and each team will give the other teams a run for their money. just cuzz the ACC has VA tech andd ummmmm…. who else??? O YA FSU!!! haha should i recap that florida vs. FSU game?? that is why the SEC is better …DEFENSE same with the uga vs. gt game even though it was close …the acc just doesent have those clutch players cuzz the ones like reggie ball just ruin it for all u ACC fans!!! so wait 30 years and about 50 AMAZING ATHELETes and for actual history and pride to be put in the ACC!!!!!!!!!! then u can compare the two

By DJ-Dub

December 2, 2005 07:19 PM | Link to this

SEC = Football. ACC = Hoops. It’s relatively obvious. Why waste time thinking about it; providing page-long comparisons? :) DJ-Dub

By HurricaneKev

December 2, 2005 07:25 PM | Link to this

South Eastern Cheaters _SEC you win! Hmm, how many teams on probation??? What is your graduation rate??? Yea, your the best!!!!

By Cliff

December 2, 2005 07:26 PM | Link to this

This year its a draw, but most years have to go to the SEC. Its a shame neither conference gets the respect they deserve. Big 10 and Pac 10 are always overrated and recently you can add the Big 12 to the overrated department. Texas will be embarrassed as bad as Oklahoma was last year. But to the SEC fans, you don’t rule the roost anymore. UT was a preseason No.5. However, SEC does have the football tradition, but don’t try to bring your basketball to the ACC, they won’t let you in.

By JMar

December 2, 2005 07:28 PM | Link to this

The ACC has a 7-4 team in their championship game, one that just got destroyed by an SEC team having an off year, and there’s supposed to be a comparison? Give me a break.

By HurricaneKev

December 2, 2005 07:37 PM | Link to this

So much for the preseaon rankings. UT, UG, UF, Etc…. One thing is for sure SEC fans, the media loves you.

By George

December 2, 2005 08:29 PM | Link to this

The SEC is better by a long shot. The ACC has two of the most overrated teams every year in the country. Those being Miami and Florida State. I might have more respect for them if they had accepted the SEC invititations and not been cowards. Miami made the made for TV Big East. Florida State for years got used to beating up weak teams, so playing Duke and Wake Forest must have made sense.

By orangeblood

December 2, 2005 08:34 PM | Link to this

Just a question-how did your new ‘golden boy’ Spurrier do against ACC’s Clemson this year? Get used to it. It is only going to get worse.

By Tar Heel Bred bleeds Tar Heel Blue

December 2, 2005 08:38 PM | Link to this

Three or four years ago, the SEC kicked butt on the gridiron and the ACC dominated the basketball courts and got down in academics by being almost “Ivy League”-like in the classroom, although the SEC wasn’t too shabby on the hardwood either (anybody ever heard of Kentucky? just for starters).

The SEC has been a powerhouse for a long, long, long time now, but by picking up Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College, not did the ACC pick up some more “Ivy League”-type schools to add to its academic prowess, but they gained some credibility in the world of College Football and made themselves a much, much more competitive conference on the gridiron. Of course, the ACC stole all three of those teams from the Big East, so ACC front-office ethics may be questionable, but the football side of the athletics sure ain’t no more.

By BigJD

December 2, 2005 08:39 PM | Link to this

Blowhard Kevin - Give me a break. Tech just got reamed by the NCAA for playing innumerable uneligble players over the last 8-10 years. They had to wipe dozens of games off of their record book. Despite all this cheating the dawgs still kick their behinds every year.

By BigJD

December 2, 2005 08:41 PM | Link to this

Tarheel man - when did Thug U (I mean Miami) become Ivy League like?

By orangeblood

December 2, 2005 08:42 PM | Link to this

BigJD-Didn’t the Gamecocks just get spanked for their violations under Holtz?

By orangeblood

December 2, 2005 08:47 PM | Link to this

BigJD, I agree with you there that Miami is not part of the ACC ‘Ivy League’. It’s Just additional football team to the league. However, that is not a bad thing in football circles.

By BigJD

December 2, 2005 08:57 PM | Link to this

Miami joining the ACC was good. They dominated the Big East and had an annual rubber stamp to the BCS. They and VT now dominate the ACC but at least Miami is not such an easy shoo-in. In any event, I think their glory years are just about over.

By East Cobb Jacket

December 2, 2005 09:18 PM | Link to this

ACC has it hands down when considering ALL sports in each conference’s program; they are not LEAGUES,

By Tar Heel Bred bleeds Tar Heel Blue

December 2, 2005 09:20 PM | Link to this

Even though the SEC has clearly been the much more dominant football league in years past, the ACC is starting to catch up with seven teams eligible for bowl games this season (would be eight teams eligible were it not for Georgia Tech playing flunkees and dead people in games). A more perennially competitive ACC means that they’ll get more attention from prep-school football prospects if the prospects know that the games that they play in the ACC will be have postseason implications (except, of course, for Duke). Football recruiting won’t be quite the “walk in the park” for the SEC that was in years past.

By East Cobb Jacket

December 2, 2005 09:26 PM | Link to this

All sports considered, the ACC has it WAY above the SEC. Besides, if you had to choose, which would you rather have, a so-so football team and a great education -or- a so-so education and a championship football team?

No, it’s not that cut and dried, but to those who worship sports “heroes”, they will take a 13-0 football team anytime, foregoing their school’s academic ranking.

By Rob

December 2, 2005 09:27 PM | Link to this

With the high possibility of having four teams with at least 10 wins this year…I think it’s obvious that the SEC is the top conference in the land.

By Tar Heel Bred bleeds Tar Heel Blue

December 2, 2005 09:31 PM | Link to this

Big JD- how do you think that Miami won all of those football games, with Choir boys, trekkies and nerds? Just because the football team is all thugged out doesn’t mean that there isn’t any book learnin’ going on in the classroom. They are in South Florida you know? Thugs are pretty much on every corner down there, just walk two feet off campus grab a few off the street and you have a rough-and-ready ballclub.

By Chip

December 2, 2005 09:58 PM | Link to this

This is a pointless article. Look back through history and it is obvious that the ACC has NEVER been as good of a football conference as the SEC. This year, they raid the Big East for their 3 best teams and are, for a single season, even with a sub-par SEC.

Let me put it in terms the ACC folks can understand. Clemson is 0-51 in Chapel Hill. If they go up there this year and win, will you be comfortable saying Clemson is as good of a basketball school as UNC?

Answering “yes” to that question is the same as saying the ACC is as good of a football conference as the SEC.

By Tar Heel Bred bleeds Tar Heel Blue

December 2, 2005 10:39 PM | Link to this

Chip- Duh! Even though I’m a fervent ACC supporter and diehard Tar Heel, I’ll admit that, historically, the ACC could be called everything (and has been called everything) but a football conference. Even though the ACC doesn’t have as much gridiron glory as the SEC, you’ve got to admit that the ACC is a markedly more competitive football league after raiding the Big East for two perennial Top-10 powerhouses in VT and the U and a Top-25 contender in BC.

Heck, the ACC even tried to take (lift?, steal?) Syracuse out of the Big East but thought twice about it and put that one back (didn’t Syracuse have a 1-10 season this year or last? how ever many games they won, or didn’t win, it sure seems like they’ve been absent from the College Football world lately)(WHEW! the ACC sure dodged a bullet on that one), taking BC instead.

Even though the SEC has the football history, it’s clearly not the SEC jocks vs. the ACC brainiacs anymore on the gridiron. Dare I even say it’s the “Revenge of the Nerds” when it comes to much-improved ACC football. O.K…. O.K….I won’t go that far, not after looking at the season that Duke had on the gridiron and considering that VT, BC and Miami are Big East transplants, but ACC football does have a much brighter future.

By Tar Heel Bred bleeds Tar Heel Blue

December 2, 2005 11:14 PM | Link to this

You all have also got to admit that Virginia Tech and Miami fit really well into the ACC geography-wise. VT has a historical arch-rivalry with UVA that has been enhanced with its addition to the ACC. Miami has an annual hatefest with FSU that has often had national-title implications that now means even more now that they are both in the same conference, even though I think that FSU may be starting to slip.

I’m a Tar Heel fan, so I wish that the U would slip more often, at least when UNC plays them in football. We got Miami last year at homecoming in Chapel Hill and we were up big on them this year in the Orange Bowl in what I think was their homecoming, but they ended up coming up back and beating us even bigger.

The gridiron prepsters visit our campus and immediately fall in love with the school, so recruiting isn’t a problem, it’s just getting it to come out on the field more than five times in a season.