The SEC football conference is really full of itself. Three days of media coverage to hear the "good ol'" boy network talk about their teams and upcoming season was nauseating. Les Miles, Nick Saban, and Steve Spurrier are paraded around college football like they invented the game. Yes Alabama and LSU have won championships in recent years and yes the SEC schools have won the last six titles. They have every reason to feel like their "s*** doesn't stink". Who can argue against the achievements of the players in the conference. Cam Newton, Tim Tebow, Mark Ingram all won Heisman trophies in the last six years. They put the most 1st and second round players in the NFL. They win most bowl games they play in all over the country. Why not give them the championship now before the season starts? Why not just have the SEC games be the entire season of college football because no other conference matters? At the end of the last six seasons at least one SEC coach has come out and stated that without equivocation an SEC team will be playing in the championship game. He has been right and they have not disappointed. Florida, LSU, Alabama and Auburn have been your champions over the past 6 seasons. Will it change this year? Lets see...
I have a feeling this year I will get to see the matchup that I have wanted to see for years. Don't you find it odd that the upper echelon SEC schools wont play USC? USC is the only school in the BCS era that can put its number and accolades up there with the SEC schools. Texas and Oklahoma have been great in the BCS era but USC can match any school in the SEC for all they have done. The last time an SEC school played USC, they were ambushed and embarrased. Arkansas played USC twice and lost 51-14 and 70 -17. Both of those Arkansas teams challenged for SEC titles and played in New Years day bowl games. Before Arkansas did, Auburn welcomed an unknown quarterback named Matt Leinart into Jordan Hare Stadium and got embarrassed. This year USC returns the most high powered"legal" offense that have had since the Leinart days. In fact as much as the SEC likes to put Tim Tebow(there's that man again) out there as the greatest college footballer ever people need to remember that Matt Leinart only lost two games in his college career. A triple overtime game at CAL when his kicker missed a chippy field goal and the greatest college game of the last 25 years in the title tilt against Texas. Leinart was brlliant in the game. The SEC teams have feasted on the Big Ten over the BCS era. The Big Ten has not put up much of a fight against any conference over the BCS era. Ohio State has taken the whippin' over the past 15 years but at least they can say that they have been in the big game right? The story of college football should be how someone can take down the mighty SEC. Matt Barkeley of course has to stay healthy and out of trouble off of the field. His receivers are big and fast and his tight ends can get down the field against any safety or linebacker. They have what it takes to score on any defense any time and any place. The schedule is not tough as it usaully is for them to make a run. Most of the "tough" games are at home. It wont be easy but I am penciling them in as the team to end the SEC's run in BCS title game.
The other teams to watch this year are Oklahoma, Clemson, Florida St. and Michigan. Michigan gets Alabama in the first game of the season and that game could set the tone for the entire season.Michigan has a lot of players returning from last years team that played in a BCS game and can make people think that this season is the re-introduction of the Big Ten. If Robinson wins this game he will undoubtedly be the front runner to the Heisman until they lose. Clemson has the best team coming back on offense that they have had had in years. Their quarterback Boyd and receiver Watkins are fast and potent. They have Auburn to start the year. Last year Clemson defeated Auburn in a epic contest of speed and big plays. This game could define their entire season. Oklahoma and Florida St. have the talent to beat anyone. Both return quarterback who could play on Sundays in the near future. Florida St. has great receivers back but just suffered a huge setback when one of their main star players was suspended for "knuckleheaded behavior". I don't understand why college football players get themselves in trouble with the law when every school caters to their needs. Oklahoma has to regain the defensive form that made them great in the beginning of the BCS era. Offensively they can score 50 on anyone.
In the end until someone knocks the SEC off its perch atop the BCS we have to suffer listening to their constituents tell us how great they are. The SEC wins with great defense and power running and no one seems to be able to stop their avalanche. This year however, I believe there are a few teams ready to take their chances against them. USC has the offense and physical defense to match up with the SEC anywhere and anytime. Lets get it on as we look forward to a fun college football season..
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