fiver

You are also correct, Cuse. It's happened twice in recent years...Nebraska in '02 and OK the following year I believe. http://www.chron.org/tools/viewart.php?artid=1080

Teams do not have to win their conference to play for the national championship. See Oklahoma several years ago.

I still don't see how the SEC is leading though. Exactly who have they beaten OOC? VTech was a good win but what I think is ironic is that in Basketball Syracuse gets ripped for playing a lot of games at home but in football the SEC does it and gets a pass. LSU beat VT UGA killed OkSU Florida killed FSU Auburn over KSU An average SEC team (SC) pretty much tied 9-3 ACC Clemson You don't just look who they beat, you look at who they lost to as well. The SEC had one loss to a non BCS conference team (Alabama to Monroe). The Pac 10 had 4. The Big Ten had 5. The Big East had 3. The Big XII had 5. The ACC had 3ish.* You also look at how well they played (Score). And running up the score should matter some (obviously not completely). *going into this week. Georgia beat GT. Cuse, Auburn opens with West Virginia at WV in '08. Yes, they played their two BCS out of conference games at home this year, but that isn't the case every year. They went to Southern Cal for a season opener a few years ago. You are trying to state that the only way SEC teams will play BCS out of conference games is on their home field and that's inaccurate.

South Carolina is clearly one of the best SEC teams this season. That said, losing to a ranked Clemson team 23-21 is aboslute evidence that the SEC is an inferior football conference. I don't know if you're being sarcastic about SC being one of the best SEC teams this season(quite sure of the sarcasm in the following sentence), but Meph not too long ago was laughing off people claiming SC wasn't a good team. I guess since SC beat Georgia 3 months ago, they get to keep their status as studs despite their 5 game losing streak(They're just losses after all) And I was never calling the SEC an inferior football conference, just not the world beaters that you and Tebow4Life claim them to be. SC does have some talent, but they don't have strong QB play this year as Dew has suggested. If one looks at the SEC East standings, you'll note that SC is ranked 4th or 5th just in that SEC division. Clemson is one of the better ACC teams, no? They are at least in the top half of their division, the same can't be said for SC. My position has never been that the SEC is full of "world beaters". I've clearly stated that I believe the SEC is probably the strongest conference this year from top to bottom, and my position on that has not changed because of anything that has occurred during the last several weeks.

South Carolina is clearly one of the best SEC teams this season. That said, losing to a ranked Clemson team 23-21 is aboslute evidence that the SEC is an inferior football conference.

I'm going to watch this game...there will be a lot of young talent on the floor.

yea, not peep from the bama fans in this area either...i even sent one i know an email (not even mean spirited...well, maybe a little) on myspace asking him what happened to the tide, he has yet to respond....i'm sure when he does it'll be some tirade about how illinois has never been good and that this year is just a fluke. agree...Bama fans were clamoring earlier in the year about how Saban had immeditately turned the program around after going 3-0 and beating Arkansas in that third game. They really should get better becasue of Saban's recruiting clout, but Saban's 8 year 32 million dollar contract is all guaranteed......no buyout if the Saban era were to sour.

I'm just wanting help Cuse get to the bottom of this conspiracy.

That's fine and about time. I still feel every BCS conference team should play at least 2 home and homes against other BCS teams and against 2 different BCS conferences. I'd like to see a couple of Big 12 and 10 teams on that list but it is nice to see a couple of Pac 10's. You said "it's about time" when I indicated to you that Auburn was playing two BCS schools this year. Truly, the other conferences have to be on board with playing SEC teams as well if this is going to work. It's already been noted that the Big Ten's out of conference schedule next year in significantly weaker than the SEC's. You seem content to concentrate on the "good ole boys", but if there is preferential treatment, then the Big Ten also receives it. Are we sure the Pac 10, Big 12, ACC and Big East's out of conference schedules are any tougher than the SEC's next year? I haven't had time to check those.

Tennessee has had a long standing policy to always play at least one tough non-conference game a year. In the recent past we've played UCLA, Cal, Notre Dame and Miami. We go to UCLA next year and then get them in Neyland in 09. We also have Oklahoma, NC State, Oregon and were talking to Virginia Tech for future years. It's nice to see the Vols take on legitimately good teams from other conferences, yet still have some breathers in between tough SEC opponents. - As Meph has mentioned, Florida plays Miami, Hawaii, and at Florida State in 2008. - Auburn picks up a home and away with West Viriginia in 2008 and 2009. (Auburn played a home and away with USC just a couple, few years ago) - Tennessee plays home and away with UCLA in 2008 and 2009; they'll also play NC State - Georgia plays Georgia Tech every season - South Carolina plays Clemson. - LSU played Virginia Tech this year. - Alabama played Florida State this year "at a neutral site" in Jacksonville. Some have suggested that all of the SEC's out of conference games are at home, but the SEC does play on the road against some formidable opponents. (Cuse is going to let me have it if West Virginia beats Auburn next year )

what is this "good ole boys" voting system of which you speak? Am I mistaken in thinking Big East coaches have a voice in all of this?

I'll make a wager that Auburn will beat a Pac-10, Big East, Big Ten, Big Twelve, ACC school in their bowl game. Who wants it?..free month of premium.. One of the last place teams in the Big East already beat them in Auburn so it has to one of the other conferences turn. lol..true, true. I assure you I'd love to see an Auburn - Big East matchup in the bowl game. Did you watch the Auburn - S. Florida game, Cuse? Edit - want to add that I do believe the Big East is still underrated by most across the country. However, Auburn has now lost 4 games, and they should be matched up with middle of the conference team from another major conference. I think they'll do quite well with that type of matchup..even a rematch with S. Florida.

They should try losing less games if they want to be in the top ten then. So you would rather them go 10-0 against the 97th best schedule than 7-3 against the best schedule? He's saying that he doesn't believe Florida has the toughest schedule in the nation because the SEC is full of nancies that only play each other.

I'll make a wager that Auburn will beat a Pac-10, Big East, Big Ten, Big Twelve, ACC school in their bowl game. Who wants it?..free month of premium..

Wow...TT, are you joking or drunk? The SEC has 11 bowl eligible teams this year...11. I think we'd played this game last year, and your SEC hatred is again clouding your judgment a bit, IMO. The SEC's weak teams consist of Ole Miss and Ole Miss alone this year. That's funny because 3 weeks ago you said Mississippi St was bad after they got blown out by West Virginia but then they beat Kentucky and Alabama and now they're good? Or is it just when they play BE teams they are bad like when Auburn lost to S.Florida? Maybe they're only good because: A: They play horrible teams out of conference B: Play all out of conference games at home I don't deny that it's a solid conference, but it's not the best. No one has stood out to be that or proven to be that. Out of curiosity, which conference do you deem to be the best this season, Cuse? Are you saying that you are unwilling to make such a judgment? I agree, no conference is head and shoulders above the rest, but being non-commital is an awfully safe road to take. No, Misssissippi State isn't great, and they are likely a bottom tier SEC team this year. I'd probably take Mississippi State over other conferences' bottom tier teams if I was forced to make a wager. No, LSU has proven nothing this year, and they've definitely not proven anything against top 10 ranked out of conference teams. I believe the SEC has more depth than the PAC 10 this year, and that was the spirit of my original post. Truly, I don't expect you to believe the SEC is the strongest conference from top to bottom this year, Cuse...You seem to have a distaste for them for whatever reason, and you bashed them even after bowl season last year. For what it's worth, the Pac 10, Big 12, and Big Ten all are strong football conferences this year, and I've never stated otherwise. The ACC and Big East both have strong teams as well. The bashing comes with the fact that they are judged the best out of hand with no doubts and this imo without a breakdown of what they have done. It annoys me that a one loss SEC team gets a chance to play for the title but a 1 loss BE team is knocked out of contention. It annoys me that the BE has done very well against the SEC but for some reason that doesn't count. 6 out of 8 BE teams can also beat any team in the country and not only that, go into the stadiums of non BCS schools and play them there. This illusion of the SEC as the best is because they set up their schedules that make it play that way. Florida has a loss last year and they of course get to go to the BCS Champ game. Were they deserving, yes like many other one loss teams. But like always, they got the chance. Louisville and WV didn't get a whiff and they each had one loss. The BE last place team last year won 4 games and was deep. Now go to this year. LSU has a loss. Oregon is better imo but LSU is ahead of them. Florida has 3 losses and is ranked 15th while playing no one out of conference but of course, those tough SEC teams. Just tell me who have the SEC beat out of conference that makes them better? What makes them deeper? Playing small schools at home 3 to 4 times? Rutgers does this and their schedule sucks. An SEC team does this and it's because the SEC is so tough. I don't don't get the logic of it. Syracuse could go 5-0 or 4-1 by playing little schools out of schedule too but it doesn't as they play 3 to 4 BCS schools a home and away every year. Would this make the BE better if they did the SEC thing and scheduled 4 to 5 home games out of conference because that is what the SEC does. WV blows out Miss St and then they win against Kentucky and Alabama. How does that make the SEC deep? Because they lost to another team in their conference that hasn't beaten anyone? I apologize if this comes out as bashing because it's not meant to be that. I just want to be shown why the SEC is better or deeper than the rest of the conferences in college football. I use the BE because that's the conference I'm most familiar with and I could plug in the Big 12, PAC 10, ACC or Big 10 as well. Oregon would likely be ranked in front of LSU had LSU not beaten #9 Virginia Tech 48-7.

Wow...TT, are you joking or drunk? The SEC has 11 bowl eligible teams this year...11. I think we'd played this game last year, and your SEC hatred is again clouding your judgment a bit, IMO. The SEC's weak teams consist of Ole Miss and Ole Miss alone this year. That's funny because 3 weeks ago you said Mississippi St was bad after they got blown out by West Virginia but then they beat Kentucky and Alabama and now they're good? Or is it just when they play BE teams they are bad like when Auburn lost to S.Florida? Maybe they're only good because: A: They play horrible teams out of conference B: Play all out of conference games at home I don't deny that it's a solid conference, but it's not the best. No one has stood out to be that or proven to be that. I believe the SEC has more depth than the PAC 10 this year, and that was the spirit of my original post. Out of curiosity, which conference do you deem to be the best this season, Cuse? Are you saying that you are unwilling to make such a judgment? I agree, no conference is head and shoulders above the rest, but being non-commital is an awfully safe road to take. No, Misssissippi State isn't great, and they are likely a bottom tier SEC team this year. I'd probably take Mississippi State over other conferences' bottom tier teams if I was forced to make a wager. No, LSU has proven nothing this year, and they've definitely not proven anything against top 10 ranked out of conference teams. Truly, I don't expect you to believe the SEC is the strongest conference from top to bottom this year, Cuse...You seem to have a distaste for them for whatever reason, and you bashed them even after bowl season last year. For what it's worth, the Pac 10, Big 12, and Big Ten all are strong football conferences this year, and I've never stated otherwise. The ACC and Big East both have strong teams as well. Edit - Yes, South Florida beat Auburn early in the season. Do you believe they would beat Auburn 3 times or more out of 5? I'm asking if you believe they are the better team...If this season has proven anything, it's that NCAA football is becoming more and more like the NFL...any given Saturday. Double Edit - LSU had 4 first round draft picks last year, and they could have as many as 4 again this year. This doesn't prove anything, but it's an interesting fact.

Wow...TT, are you joking or drunk? The SEC has 11 bowl eligible teams this year...11. I think we'd played this game last year, and your SEC hatred is again clouding your judgment a bit, IMO. The SEC's weak teams consist of Ole Miss and Ole Miss alone this year. Vandy isn't bowl eligible yet with only 5 wins. The SEC has 10 bowl eligible teams, tied for the most with the Big 10 right now (not that the # of bowl eligible teams means that much for a conference's strength). maybe I'm drunk. :oops: no, it was just an oversight on my behalf, and I agree with your post. That said, I don't believe the Pac 10 nor Big 10 are as strong from top to bottom as the SEC this year. We should be able to a little more clearly evaluate during bowl season.

Wow...TT, are you joking or drunk? The SEC has 11 bowl eligible teams this year...11. I think we'd played this game last year, and your SEC hatred is again clouding your judgment a bit, IMO. The SEC's weak teams consist of Ole Miss and Ole Miss alone this year.

mine was too today...bleh.

double post

If Kansas wins out, then there's no way both OU and LSU can go. One of them must be knocked out to a lesser BCS game because Kansas is a big conference undefeated team. If it plays out that way, of course. Big if. Kansas is barely in the top 5 in the bcs rankings. Even if they win out, voters will still discount them No they won't - if they win out, they'll have beaten the highly thought of Missouri and Oklahoma. agree

I don't follow your logic. If LSU gets beat in the NC game, then the SEC isn't presently the strongest conference? ok. I don't understand. My point was that national pundits continually say that the SEC is the strongest conference but the constantly ignore how strong the Pac 10 is. My point if Oregon was to beat LSU it would prove that the Pac 10 is the best conference No, I don't think it would. Oregon is a really strong team and perhaps.....perhaps even the best in the country this year. However, your logic is extremely flawed.

Auburn now getting taken to the wood shed...Illinois won, so it tis still a good day.

I don't follow your logic. If LSU gets beat in the NC game, then the SEC isn't presently the strongest conference? ok.

Auburn's secondary blows.