Mr. College Football

By JB

August 17, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this

USC and Ohio State in the SEC would create openings for more trainers at those schools to tend to the injuries and bruises that would occur. Let Ohio State have TENN, LSU, FLA, GA, AND Auburn back to back to back. Then come talk to me. These ain’t the Delaware Fighting Hens !

By Ed

August 17, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this

I would put the Big East ahead of the Pac 10 and definitely the ACC.

By reality check

August 17, 2007 9:13 AM | Link to this

About right, except the ACC as far as I am concerned is the weakest right now. I would like to see them come back up. If some of their top teams do rebound I will be happy for them, but until they do it on the field I am skeptical.

By David-ATL14

August 17, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this

It’s a damn shame the SWC disbanded, if only to have another conference to rate ahead of the Big East.(LOL)

Rutgers schedule is a joke, they are a 6-7 loss team in the SEC.

By cfbfan

August 17, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this

Big East is too low and ACC is WAY too high.

4 Big East 5 Big 12 6 ACC

Also Fulmer is a horrible coach and any inclusion of him in your agrument is actually a negative.

By reebok

August 17, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

No doubt SEC is the best conference…I’d put ACC either 5th or 6th…which hurts, since I’m a G-Tech fan…but the ACC just isn’t very good.

By Jamal

August 17, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this

The Big East is probably stronger than the ACC…not by much, though. The ACC has been declining in the past few years. I don’t see that changing. Now, the PAC 10 is the one that is overated. I would put them at #6.

By Fred Dearman

August 17, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this

Let’s wait until after September 8 before we say anything about South Florida please.

By mahalodawg

August 17, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this

Any discussion about “best in the country” is perntless if J-Squared’s U of H squad is left off. I don’t care if you’re talking about BCS conferences or BBQ or average snowfall the answer to any question regarding awesomeness is The Bell Tolling Warriors of The Islands, or BTWotI for an easy acronym. SC would go 1-11 if they had to play Colt and June 12 times a year. I’ve spoken.

By john

August 17, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this

Wasn’t it the WAC which had the best bowl-season record among conferences? And didn’t Boise State beat the Big 12 champ? So perhaps they need to be included….Btw, I agree SEC is number one. LSU and Florida are unreal. Wisconsin is very underrated. As there sterling records and wins over Auburn and Arkansas in last two bowl seasons have proven. Finally, make Notre Dame join a conference or else pull that automatic BCS bowl game (finish top 12) agreement away from them.

By Stephen M

August 17, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

Tony, it makes me cringe everytime I hear someone try to argue that the SEC is not the toughest conference around. Very nice list I have enjoyed reading the last several weeks.

By July Jone's

August 17, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this

john are the SECond smartest person making comments today. Bully on ye, young man, but remember the Bell Tolls FOUR Thee BSU. Who am I Hawai’i til I die!* (nm)*

By BellToller

August 17, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

Broncos, the bell tolls for thee. TAWBY,M. let em toll mf’ers. let em toll for thee.

By SECRULES

August 17, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

Yes, the SEC is the toughest Conference.

By Spike

August 17, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this

Tony… good column. Anybody who argues that the SEC is not the best conference, and especially the SEC East, year in and year out either doesn’t know college football, or ought to have their head examined or both. You put most of these other conference teams in the SEC and play the SEC schedule every year and you would see who has the best and toughest conference.

By ATL

August 17, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

Looks pretty accurate to me Tony…

By Fred

August 17, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this

Top to Top, the SEC is the best conference, but Top to bottom may be another thing. I am sorry, but Ole Miss, MSU, Kentucky, Vandy, Arkansas and USC do not scare me one bit. Show me one good non conference game that these teams have played and won.

By Tony

August 17, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this

OHIO ST & MICHIGAN cant we call this conf.. the BIT TWO ? And USC has the cake walk every year, why shouldnt they make it to the title game WEAK WEAK WEAK!! SEC,ACC top confrences bar none! let any other team join up and see how they fair. Yea SEC is #1 ACC #2 The BIG 12 “hey they always show up big in the title game” Oklahoma vs USC great game!!

By Roswell Ed

August 17, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this

Quit bogarting that J Fred.

By SECRULES

August 17, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this

Fred, you named 6-teams from the SEC that ‘don’t’ scare you. That leaves 6-other teams that do. While MissSt is the weakest of these, Kentucky beat Clemson last year, as did S.Car. Within the sort-of recent past S.Car has beaten Ohio St.—twice. Vandy was neck-to-neck with Michigan last year up until the 4th quarter, and Ole Miss has beaten Nebraska within the last 5 years. So while these teams won’t ‘scare’ anyone, they are capable of winning —or upsetting someone.

By Roswell Ed

August 17, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

When you mention SEC coaches Tony why don’t you mention the only one who has completed the season undefeated?

Getting to the BCS title game is about luck. Going undefeated is not.

Bow to the Tub!!!!

By NotSoFastMyFriend

August 17, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this

I mostly agree with Barnhart’s list, except flip the Big 12 and Big East. Anyone will agree that the SEC was toughest last year and should be again this year. This is not always true.

By Tony Barnhart

August 17, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this

Roswell Ed,

You’re right…Tub should have been mentioned in that list…

By JDW

August 17, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this

SEC is tops by a wide margin, but Big 10 is at best 3 and maybe 4 behind PAC 10 and Big 12.

By JustMe

August 17, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this

This is the stupidest thing that I have ever read!

You are ranking conferences based on some ‘poll’ of peoples opinions that haven’t seen most of the teams that haven’t played even one ball game? Who in their right mind would give this any real credit at all?????

At least let the teams play one game before all of this crap starts. In reality, no one knows until the season is over.

By Coach Wooden

August 17, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this

Tony…Relax, you look too serious in your attached ‘mug shot’… and you can probably guess, but I’m partial to the Pac-10 as the #1 conference. Just think what my Bruins would’ve done to Arkansas had they played them instead of those frauds across town here. Bruins Rule!
JW

By Coloradojacket

August 17, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this

So I agree with the SEC and then the Big Ten but Pac 10 and the argument for the Big East. The ACC is three and here is why. Yes the Pac 10 has Cal and USC but that is it. 7-6 Florida St. Took UCLA out. If you line upo the ACC with the rest of the Pac 10 it is not close. Same with the Big East. It took all West Virginia had to beat Tech. If you line up the rest of the Big East against Clemson, Maryland, etc it is not close. The ACC wins.

By War Eagle

August 17, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this

Check out Big Ten non-opponent schedule, remember the BCS kept Auburn out of the NC title game for their schedule…Michigan- Appalachan State, E.Michigan-Ohio State, Youngstown State, Akron, Kent State-Penn State, Akron, Youngtown State,Temple…they do play Tennessee- Wisconsin, The Citadel, UNLV- Minnesota, Florida Atlantic, North Dakota State, Bowling Green. Do these yeams qualify for NC game, I think florida proved a point last year…Five SEC teams could have beat Ohio State

By Elijah

August 18, 2007 12:02 AM | Link to this

Yeah I would put SEC first, but ACC would have to be second or third. As far as the big east-apart from West Virginia and Louisville you really drop off after that, and when I say drop off I mean the State University of West Georgia could beat some of those teams. ACC was beat up last year, but when you play any of the teams in it, you have to respect them, other than Duke, and they gave Alabama a run last year or year before. West Virginia could run the table this year with that running game they have, they are exciting to watch, but if they were in a different conference they would lose possible 4 games.

By George P. Burdell

August 18, 2007 12:44 AM | Link to this

I don’t like to beat up on Tony, but he lost a lot of cred with me when I saw the ACC Jackets preview on FSN.

In his analysis, he was supportive for Tech in the upcoming year, but he talked about how the defense gave up too many points last year, especially late.

He corrected himself about Wake, and then said West Virginia and Georgia scored a bunch. I’ll give him WV, but UGA scored 15 points. They won and congrats there, but I’ll take my chances anytime, anywhere, with any team scoring 15 in a game.

Tony, if you actually bother to read this blog, do you have anything to say to your comment or should every defense only be considered really good if it gives up less than 15 to an SEC opponent?

I didn’t think so.

By SEC Football Rulez

August 18, 2007 1:02 AM | Link to this

It’s pretty clear the SEC is the best conference in football, but there are way too many haters of the ACC here, and way too many PAC-10 lovers.

People love to point to USC beating SEC opponents in their last 4 tries, but that’s really as far as that argument goes. Every other PAC-10/SEC matchup has ended positively for the SEC…the lopsided Tenn/Cal game comes to mind…wasn’t Cal ranked #2 in that preseason poll? Should be an interesting matchup in week 2.

As far as the ACC, the traditional powers of FSU and Miami have down years, and suddenly the whole conference is terrible. I’d rather consider the other teams that have improved…teams like GaTech, Wake Forest, and VaTech…that can field a team that can beat pretty much anybody. The ACC will have a chance to prove it early, with GaTech playing at South Bend, VaTech at LSU, and Wake Forest vs. Nebraska. Not to mention the “powers” Miami playing at Oklahoma and FSU vs. Alabama. These are all big games for the ACC against big time opponents early on…then we can fairly judge the ACC.

Oh, and the Big Least is a clear 6th. Don’t give me any talk about how Louisville and West Virginia won their bowl games against the two best ACC teams. Be that as it may, they were very evenly matched games, and the rest of the Big East couldn’t match up any team in the ACC.

(I say any team because Duke doesn’t field a “team” in the traditional sense because “teams” generally compete on the field and occassionally, it’s been rumored, garner a victory)

By GT Fan

August 18, 2007 8:12 AM | Link to this

We may not be in the best conference but we are smarter, have the best Tickle Piles and we are cute. Just attend a Tickle Pile and you will see.

By Dave In Tampa

August 18, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

Fred Dearman: Living here in Tampa I get some insite to South Florida. I do believe that they have a chance at a great season. They will surprise some folks. Still, they could not compete in the SEC. Good luck with Louisville & WVU.

I think most of us agree that the PAC 10 is a very overated conference. If USC, the real USC, was not so awesome the conference would be ranked lower than the ACC. ACC will be better if Miami & FSU can remember how to win games this year. Even as a Dawg, I think Tech will surprise people as well…. Not UGA though. Go Dawgs!

By Olly

August 18, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

Some of you jacklegs ignorantly degrade the ACC out of pure spite and jealousy. Yea, the ACC took it on the chin last year with some lousey coaching, atypical records and meldowns in big games but lest we forget the ACC set a record for NFL draft picks in 2006 and finished #1 in the unbiased Sagran ratings in 2005 and 2004.

By Honkytonk

August 18, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

If y’all put all those other teams in the SEC, the SEC wouldn’t be the toughest conference any more.

By Brian

August 18, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this

Fred,

Vandy, UK and USC would beat all but the top 3 teams in the Little 11 on a consistent basis (based upon this year’s squad). If Andre Woodson was playing for ANY Little 11 school, he’d be a Heisman front-runner.

I’d argue that at the top, the SEC is NOT as good as it was last year, but top-to-bottom is as strong as it’s ever been. All 6 East teams SHOULD be bowl-eligible. Scary.

By DD

August 18, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this

Olly:

Now talk about putting down what ever it is you have been smoking. Please say you said that to be funny. UGA has not even been the best team in the SEC the past 6 years, other than twice, but they are 10-0 against the WEAK ACC.

I also have some swamp land to sell you in the Mojave Desert if you truly believe what you said.

By joey

August 18, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this

SEC> EVERYONE ELSE! AWESOME!

By Olly

August 18, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this

I don’t give a damn what UGa has done…these things run in cycles — what do you want me up Tech’s streak against UGa or Clemson’s over USC. Or how about Maryland destroying Tennessee in the Peach bowl a few years back or a mediocre UNC team that manhandled Auburn. My point is that the ACC never seems to get its fair credit when the conference is tough and gets derided when it is less than good. Again, after being ranked the most difficult league in America by the unbiased Sagarin computer for two consecutive years, the ACC set the NFL Draft record for first round selections in 2006. Let’s see how the season plays out shall we?

By DD

August 18, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this

Olly: Sorry my friend, myself along with everyone else does not buy your reasoning. SEC beats up on the ACC year end and year out. And the last time the ACC won a football NC.

I mean it’s great that you have passion for the ACC, but you gotta be real. ACC is 4th at best.

By Olly

August 18, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this

LOL — great reasoning/facts to back up your generalities. This debate is over, as you’ ve missed my point altogether. Good luck to your team, although I suspect you’re one of those Wal-Mart UGa fans that have never stepped foot on campus. But I am sorry…sorry that we’ll always look down our noses at the likes of rabid but mindless fans like yourself. You feed a bad stereotype my friend…ta ta!

By yellowblood

August 18, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this

Olly: I like your fire, man. You need to step in here more often. See, UGA pays for professional bloggers, just ask Alt Dawg and NASCAR fan who use AJC blogs to talk to their friends. Tony, I have no reason to disagree with your picks but I wonder how this comparison would be to you if you were to base it upon end of season results over a 3 year period while also considering rankings of opponents. The BCS is based upon 7-8 factors. Maybe there is BSC type “formula” in which to do this. Anyway, good topic. You hit the nerve.

By Dave

August 18, 2007 6:04 PM | Link to this

Tony, I know you work in an SEC/ACC town, so it’s tough to be objective about the conference, but let’s get back to the real world here…

1. Pac-10. Best team (Southern Cal). Toughest schedules. Only one pasty (Stanford), and they haven’t been bad for all that long. 2. SEC. Okay, I’ll give you some credit here. But if you guys think the BCS title game was anything other than Florida’s best game vs. OSU’s worst, remember that the Big Ten went 2-1 vs. the SEC in bowls last year. 3. Big East. WVU, Louisville, and Rutgers are top-ten quality teams. One of them will lose twice and be relegated to the top 15 instead, and USF’s the only other team with a legit shot at cracking the top 25, but that’s half the conference. 4. Big Ten. Here we begin the extremely top-heavy division. Three top-15 teams in 8 is great; three in 11 (that’s Michigan, Wiscy, and OSU for those playing at home), not so much… 5. Big 12. And three in 12, maybe (Oklahoma, Texas, and maybe Nebraska) … sorry guys, that’s not so good. 6. ACC. I’m not seeing where this mythical improving ACC is supposed to come from; a 3-loss Wake Forest team won the conference last year. Maybe Virginia Tech will salvage some pride and try to get people to stop thinking about Mike Vick when they think of Virginia Tech by winning. I wouldn’t count on it.

By David-ATL14

August 19, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

Louisville and Rutgers are vastly overrated programs, neither will finish in the top 15.

Big Least is a joke.

By gt2nash

August 19, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this

There is much too much commentary regarding a season that has yet to start. The ACC will prove itself again, just as the SEC will continue to prove itself as the unscrupulous, homogenous, state-supported, athletics-first (except my dear Vandy) conference it is. At least, there’s an interesting array of quality schools within the ACC.

By hsf

August 20, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

Fulmer a horrible coach? He’s won 80% of his games and a National Championship. He must be one lucky SOB.

By Reggie Ball Stinks!

August 20, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this

To George P. Burdell…don’t give UGA that much credit, TB has given them enough already…..they only scored 8 pts vs GT (TD & 2pt conv). Remember the fumbled I committed that got picked out of the pile by the UGA D, and returned for their first 7 pts? That’s right, I stunk then, and I stink now; I threw 6 more ints in a pick’up game the other day…with a bunch of 10 year-olds. I don’t know what my coach was thinking to let me start ALL 4 years at Tech. He must stink too! Aww, it’s just game though ‘dog’

By CW

August 20, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this

Totally agree with SEC Football’s post above. Nobody doubts the SEC is tops, but all the talk about the ACC being weak is garbage. Yes, we know FSU and Miami aren’t in the top five this year. But the rap 5-10 years ago was that FSU was the only good team in the league. Now with Va Tech, Boston College, Ga Tech, Wake and Clemson all having very good seasons, the ACC is much stronger top to bottom than it used to be. Maryland, UVA and NC State both figure to be much better this year Miami and FSU will both be better as well, but the days of either school running the table have gottem much tougher.

Anybody who thinks the Big East is better than the ACC needs to put down the crack pipe. Line the teams up 1-8 (or however many teams the Big East has) and the ACC would win 5 or 6 easy.

By Pete Carroll

August 21, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

I agree with “Dave - August 18, 2007 6:04PM”

PAC 10 is numero UNO…without considering top to bottom. Consider this…as of August, 2007, Stanford is the current laughing stock of the league; followed closely by U-W. In the past 10-15 years I would argue these two teams have had much more success than any other conference’s current ‘bottom feeders’ as most other conferences’ bottom feeders are pretty much the same teams year in and year out. Dennis Erickson / ASU … Beware of the Sun Devils in the near future.