By D-Man

March 28, 2008 2:54 AM | Link to this

FIRST!

By reality check

March 28, 2008 5:44 AM | Link to this

Perhaps reasonable people can disagree over whether or not the SEC is the strongest football conference, but people who respect the empirical cannot.

By Mike

March 28, 2008 7:38 AM | Link to this

The SEC is a on a roll, no doubt about it. It is always good. The only thing that gets annoying is to hear SEC Fans act like the league is way, way better than anyone else. The power conferences are all pretty close in talent. The SEC leads the nation in fan base and wealth, but the average SEC team would be favored over the average (pick another power conference) team by maybe a point or so on neutral turf. Some SEC fans act like any SEC team would beat anyone else by 30. They seem surprised when a Ga Tech beats Auburn or a Michigan knocks off Florida. They remember their league’s big wins, but forget its losses. Don’t forget that the Peach Bowl, since it went to its ACC vs SEC matchup, is 8-8. The SEC is best right now, and is always excellent in football, but it remains one of the power leagues, where (top to bottom) it would get a run for its money from any of the other leagues.

By Gutrake

March 28, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this

You’re facts are indisputable. Another observation, though not measurable, is the way all other teams play their best and over their head when they are matched with SEC teams. As well as the obvious bias occasionally exhibited by the pundits and pollsters against the SEC. If it wasn’t so obvious that the SEC is the best, they would evaluate more fairly when ranking teams.

By Poor SEC Haters

March 28, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this

We remember the wins because there are alot more of them than there are losses. That’s the point genius. Nobody thinks the SEC is going to win every single game it plays, but we do win more than the other conferences. This is a fact. No conference had a better bowl record last year. This is a fact. No conference had as many top 25 teams. This is a fact. You can rationalize everything until you’re blue in the face, but you cannot change the facts. You are wasting your time.

By David

March 28, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this

By Mike Rebuttal

March 28, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this

Mike, your Peach Bowl argument, though you don’t realize it, again just speaks to the relative strength of the SEC. While you’re correct that the SEC-ACC record is split, you have to remember that the Peach Bowl takes the number 2 or 3 ACC team and a much lower ranked SEC team. If the sixth or seventh best SEC team is regularly as good as the third best ACC team, I think that again belies the top to bottom strength of the SEC.

And for those who may post after I do, I am well aware that the former Peach Bowl is now the b******* Chick-Fil-A bowl. I just choose to ignore it.

By Bamafan#2

March 28, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this

Hey Mike, the Peach Bowl matches up the ACC #2 team vs. the SEC #5 team. And, even with that, the SEC has still split with the ACC. Thanks for making our point for us.

By SECFan

March 28, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this

its easy for weak ACC schools play good Peach Bowl game given they have a month to prepare for it and don’t play any good competition during the regular season. If there is a “top” team in the ACC it would be in the bottom half of the SEC. Also the Kentucky, Vandy, Miss team on the SEC could easily rule the ACC

By TDone

March 28, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this

You SEC folks believe your own hype way too much. There has been no evidence to show the bottom of the SEC would rule the ACC. Are you saying the Ole Miss could go to Boston College and win? If you need more examples, they are there for he taking.

Give me a break…

By hop

March 28, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this

tdone.. ole miss would fair far better with bc than one would think,especially during the manning days!

By ACC joke

March 28, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this

I think it is a lot easier to see Ole Miss beating BC than it is for Duke, NC, NC st, Wake, Va, Ga Tech, Clemson, beating LSU or FlA or for that matter any of those teams beating SC or Kentucky

By Brian

March 28, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

This discussion just gets so old. Isn’t there something better to talk about?

By TO

March 28, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this

David, see this site http://www.sportsargumentwiki.com/index.php?title=Fulmer_Cup

It looks like the Big 12 (with 42 Fulmer Cup points) is actually leading the SEC (with 36). I know I was surprised as well.

By Brian

March 28, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

Are we really still talking about this?

By Jim

March 28, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

Brian great point, but no, this is all they have. I guess it makes them feel good.

By dizzle

March 28, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this

you ACC guys really are kind of funny.You go steal miami and boston college to to boost your overall confrence power.And you still are a weaker confrence and you pretty much will be.Duke,n.c and n.c st.etc. etc.Yup,you guys are kind of funny.

By Jack G

March 28, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

Yellowblood——-you are sick——-please get help

By Dave

March 28, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this

Playing what-if games with Auburn is absurd, especially since it took a series of unlikely events (and a little help from the BCS computers) to have the SEC at the top of the chart instead of the Pac 10.

By Wow

March 28, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

What would average attendance be if Vandy was in the ACC where it belongs and if Mississippi and Mississippi state were removed?

By Scooter

March 28, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

@ Brian-

Oh yes. I think that the whole point. More lame posts = more hits = more ad revenue.

By realist

March 28, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

I agree that the SEC may be the top conference. However, I don’t think it is as big of a gap that most SEC fans think it is. You need to look at it like this- rank the teams from each conference then say would #1 vs #1 be a blow out or if they played more than once would they split.#2 vs #2 and so on. I think that is the fair way to look at it. Yes #1 would probally handle # 3 or #4 but if you match the rankings then i think it would be even.

By Sic'em Dawg

March 28, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

SEC is the best conference…but only becasue of depth.

My arguement is the three best teams in any conference are fairly comparable….with a team or two from any conference pulling away.

What makes the SEC is teams 4 through 7 are competitive with most conferences number 3 team. Usually -the last place teams in any conference would be the last place teams…in any conference!!!

Regarding the Peach bowl and the ACC - SEC 8-8 record. This is the ACC’s #2 team versue SEC’s #5 team. Throw in 2 SEC BSC games - it becomes the SEC’s #6 team versus ACC #2. Need I say more?

By Micah

March 28, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

The SEC looks really good based on the numbers…but everyone always talks about that. Based on Tony’s info, the Big 12 is the second best football conference in the country. The real story is that the Big Ten, the “new and improved” ACC, and the PAC 10 are so weak!

By AGTfan

March 28, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this

Fellow Tech fans forgive me, but yes the SEC is the best football conference. Doesn’t mean I have to like them, but I do believe that the SEC is the best football conference now and for several years to come. I also think UGA is the best football team to start the next season. That’ll make it that much sweater when PJ’s Yellow Jackets beat them.

By George P Burdell

March 28, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

While there is no doubt the SEC is a very good conference, and probably the best year in and year out, the arguments about the Peach Bowl just show how arrogant and out of touch with reality SEC fans can be.

Last year, Clemson’s conference record tied them for 4th. Auburn’s conference record tied them for 4th. To say any particular bowl has # whatever team from a conference is ridiculous because there is an order to picking within each tier. Just because Team A travels well, or has not been to the Peach Bowl recently, doesn’t mean it is better than Team B. My point being, there are other factors that go into which team goes to a particular bowl and you cannot label the SEC/ACC teams from year to year as any particular rank in their respective conference.

Regardless, there is no way Clemson was the #2 ACC team last year when their conference record was 4th best.

By Tuckerdawg

March 28, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

What comes to mind is a comment made by Nick Saban when he was coach at LSU. When asked about comparing the Big 10 conference and the SEC, he said the SEC was better but not necessarily for the top teams. The top teams in each conference were very close in talent and coaching. What separated the conferences was the strength of the so called lower tiered teams. In the SEC, each one had the ability to defeat the top teams in the conference. That did not happen in the Big 10. Maybe a politically correct comment from Coach Saban but insightful nonetheless.

By Bob

March 28, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

I’m a UGA alum, so consider that. I think if you compare bowl records overall, the SEC hasn’t dominated. Our top teams will usually stack up against top teams from anywhere else. Florida had a letdown against Michigan. Florida was disappointed to be in that bowl and Michigan was inspired because 1. They were playing Florida and 2. They had a point to prove about themselves.

All in all, the top half of SEC teams have high expectations and when they miss out on a top bowl, they play pretty uninspired football.

By Villa Rica DAWG

March 28, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this

The SEC is to college football what the USA is to the world. We know we are the best and everyone hates us for it…

By DWG

March 28, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

TDone doesn’t even know who’s the best team in her confrence. Ole Miss was the worst team in the SEC. BC won the coastal or whatever division of the acc. It’d probably be a pretty good game though.

The ACC champ got beat by the SEC champ by 40. The Big Ten Champ rolls through it’s sched and gets it’s behind handed to it in Jan. the last 2 years. UGA plays hawaii or boise and takes care of business like it’s supposed to. Oklahoma gets beat by the same type of opponent. Right now the SEC is tops and it’s not even close.

By Miles

March 28, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

Saying the SEC is the best conference in the country is like saying the sky is blue, i.e., it’s obvious to everyone. As Mr. Barnhart noted, “Nothing heavy.”

By mariettaou

March 28, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this

DWG, you mentioned Oklahoma gets beat by the same opponent, they won the national championship in 2000, when was the last time Georgia won the national championship, you have absolutely no credibility to your comments.

By Chik-Fil-A

March 28, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

for everyone who keeps posting that the #2 ACC team goes to Peach/Chik-Fil-A bowl, you’re wrong. #1 goes to BCS, #2 to Gator and #3 goes to Atlanta.

By Not that it matters.....

March 28, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

Not that is matters but the Peach Bowl is ACC #3 (BCS, Gator, Peach) vs SEC #5. Its not #2 vs #6, it is always #3 vs #5 or #6 if 2 in BCS (which has only happened twice in history of BCS).

By more fun facts

March 28, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

Tony, how about some more fun facts for Friday? Is the SEC leading in GPA and player arrests?

By Roswell Ed

March 28, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this

I do agree with most. This is a dead arguement. Some people just can’t see the

forest for the trees!!

ACC guys- at least take some solace in the fact that your 6th place debate team would finish near the top of our league every year!!

From ESPN:

The Chick-fil-A Bowl has the second choice among ACC teams, after the league champion automatically goes to the BCS. The Chick-fil-A Bowl gets what is essentially the fifth choice among SEC teams, although sometimes its pick is higher or lower in the pecking order if handshake agreements can be reached with other bowl games.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=3142612

By DWG

March 28, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

OU was lucky to not have to play a powerhouse from the WAC that year. What does OU winning the BCS 8 years ago have to do with the strength of the SEC?

Fact: UGA pumells lesser opponent (boise st. 05 - the year before they beat OU - and hawaii 07). We all know what happened to OU. I never get tired of seeing that statue of liberty play. It’s great that they show it on video game commercials, nike ads, espn classic…

By Bigdog

March 28, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

The peach bowl might be 8-8 since it went ACC vs SEC but remember it takes the ACC #3 and something like the SEC #5 or 6.

By vdunkndunk

March 28, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this

USC wins the Pac-10 every year lately; Ohio State wins the Big-10 every year lately; West Virginia wins the Big East every year lately; and Texas or Oklahoma almost always wins the Big-12.

That tells me there’s not enough parity in those leagues. There are one or two teams in each league that might be as good as the best SEC teams, but in other conferences they’re the same one or two teams every year.

In the SEC, on the other hand, there are four or five teams, including Florida, LSU, Georgia, Auburn, or Tennessee, that in a given year are capable of winning not only the SEC, but also the national championship if given the chance. If you added LSU and Florida to the Pac-10, for instance, it would suddenly be a lot harder for USC to win the conference championship 6 straight times, or to win around 35 straight conference games like they recently did, but you’d also have a much better league.

The above doesn’t mean that the SEC would win every game it plays against another conference; to me it simply means making it through the SEC undefeated or with only one loss is much harder to do than it is for a teams in other conferences like USC or Ohio State or West Virginia or Texas. And that’s why SEC fans go crazy when people act like a team’s record is the only thing that matters in choosing the top 2 teams for the BCS championship.

By Paul Hamilton

March 28, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

Seriously are we really still talking about this? I agree that the SEC is the best conference hands down, but I would prefer that we continue to prove it on the field rather than talking trash about it.

Let’s also stay in reality here. No one keeps up with player performances in the class room. You can talk all the trash you want about GPA, but no one really cares other than parents, the player, some coaches, and the school administration.

I’m sure the SEC does lead the nation in player arrests, but there are bad seeds in every program. I’ll grant you that it is a problem, but you can’t baby sit them. I would like the SEC to just take the coaches out of the loop on punishment and let the school handle it. There isn’t a college campus in America that is free from criminal activity by students. What university did you attend “more fun facts”? I’m sure you can enlighten us on your school’s pristine image.

By Hourglass

March 28, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

The attendance numbers maybe correct but also misleading. For instance…the average capacity of SEC stadiums is much higher than those of the ACC and probably many other conferences. A more accurate representation would be to site the percentage of the stadiums filled. The results may turn out different/They may turn out the same, but at least it won’t be misleading

By TheItalianDawg

March 28, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

For Mike, you are right that in Peach chick filA bowl SEC vs ACC is 8-8 record but you forget an important fact and that is the match up is between 2nd best ACC vs 5th or 6th best SEC

By DWG

March 28, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this

Hourglass, Tech advertises game packages with free hotdogs and cokes and cannot fill a 50K+ stadium. There were 3 times as many fans at the Alabama spring game than the ACC Championship last year. Nothing misleading here.

By Ben

March 28, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

I just threw up in my mouth a little. Tony….try to refrain from commenting on any other league or any other team outside of the SEC….your homerism is at an all time high. Who will you be on TV with this fall? CSTV? 790 the zone on CSS between 7-8 in the morning?

By 6th place debate team

March 28, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

Roswell Eddie, judging from Auburn’s record the past 5 years against ACC schools (.500), i guess that would make them the possibly the 6th best team in the ACC.

By mariettaou

March 28, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this

DWG, again you have no leg to stand on, OU does have a lot to prove, but you make Georgia and the SEC look great when they have done nothing great at all. I can understand your frustration, you are a fan of nothing more than just an average team and that is all they will ever be.

By MB

March 28, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

Nice post SECFan glad you let everyone know you are a complete idiot. I admit that the SEC has been the dominate conference but to say that the top ACC team would be in the bottom half of SEC is pure ignorance. Also great saying that ACC teams have so long to prepare for bowls games based on the fact that we play no one….even when the seasons are closed out by playing rivalry games such as UGA, Florida, SoCar. Until you learn how make a convincing argument please close your pie hole.

By MB

March 28, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

Mariettaou,

Please pay no attention to DWG he is under the impression that UGA is a national power after two good years. In his own words, they took care of Boise and Hawaii. Also, just to clarify about Alabama’s spring game was FREE…that is as close as half of those necks will ever get to a college; it’s not like there was anything else to do.

By Jerry

March 28, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

I won’t pretend to know which conference is the best. As an ACC fan, I will admit that there is nothing in the world than going to a big time SEC game. No matter the venue, it’s the most intense, loudest experience of your life. Think about this. Imagine a home schedule like this and the atmoshphere surrounding it.

Georgia playing LSU, Auburn, Tennessee

LSU playing Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee

Florida playing Georgia, Tennessee, LSU, Auburn

You get the point. It’s an exciting conference and as a diehard college football fan, I wish my team was part of it.

By Chokelahoma=JOKE

March 28, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

Georgia and the SEC are capable of winning BCS bowl games, even against WAC opponents. Chokelahoma, on the otherhand, routinely gets embarassed and humiliated in BCS bowl games and more often than not has no business being there. How on earth is it possible to even lose to Boise freakin’ State? My lord what a choke job. Go Sooners!!!!

P.S. West Virginia just scored again.

By john

March 28, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this

Yea, the SEC has done fairly well int he BCS. Except for the butt whipping UGA got by west virginia. Or has the SEC’s short memory forgotten about that too?

By JM

March 28, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

Fun Fact No. 4: the SEC is 8-1 in BCS bowls since 2001.

By Richard

March 28, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

The great part of this argument is how stupid it is. The worst thing about college football is that there’s no opportunity to prove how good a conference is against another in a *gasp) playoff.

If you wanted to make an argument that the SEC wasn’t the best conference you might look at the Tennessee/Cal, Florida/Michigan, games.

The truth is that SEC fans rely on average attendnace (when they have the biggest stadiums/fan bases), and arbitrary votes resulting in Ohio State beatdowns to make thier case. Their conference may be the best in the country, but its a silly debate to begin with.

I’ll make another dumb argument why the ACC is the best conference: Florida lost to Michigan which lost to Appalacian State which lost to Georgia Southern whcih lost to Colorado State which lost to Colorado which lost to Florida State. So obviously the ACC must be better.

Before you idiot SEC fanboys can’t grasp the fact that I’m intentionally making a dumb argument, I’m fully aware Colorado also lost to Alabama.

By 1978 GT Alumni

March 28, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this

I went to Tech and I am so ashamed of my school. We play in a weak ACC conference and cannot even win it - not even the division. We get our butts handed to us by Fresno State in the Roady’s Truckstop Humanitarian Bowl. We lose the Emerald Bowl to Utah and it is obvious our team gave up during the game. We are just terrible at football. I cannot believe we played ineligible players for 7 years and didn’t even know it. Imean we HAD to know it. We have not beat UGA without ineligible players since 1990. That is 17 years! I am very upset.

By DWG

March 28, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

You’re right OU fans. The SEC has done nothing great lately… oh, except dominate the BCS bowls, win 4 BCS National Championships and actually have a winning record against the WAC! A conference OU has trouble with. This is an SEC argument. Not a UGA one. You can say Georgia isn’t a powerhouse. Neither is Oklahoma. But the SEC is by far the best conference in America. I bring facts OU fan, all you have to say is “the SEC has done nothing great”. What does the SEC need to do to get your respect? Cure cancer?

By Roswell Ed

March 28, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

You can be a legit top 20 team and finish 6th in the SEC.

If you are 6th in the ACC there is no way you’re a legit top 20 team.