Wonder why SEC on top? Look at other conference finals (with video)
Can you hear SEC commissioner Mike Slive? "Yes, I am king. Are there any questions?" (AP photo)
While it’s easy to understand why any fan of a conference not named the SEC grows tired of hearing and reading about the SEC, the evolution of this year’s conference championship match-ups screams why the landscape is so lopsided.
This came home Monday when Miami announced that the football program was going to self-impose a bowl ban (hoping to beat the NCAA to the punch) and therefore would not accept a bid to the ACC championship game. This allowed Georgia Tech to back through the door as Coastal Division “champions.” The Jackets will face Florida State for the ACC title.
This isn’t meant to pick on Georgia Tech. It’s not the Jackets’ fault they have been given this opportunity, despite a relatively crummy season. But if you want to know why the SEC commands the attention it does, just look at how the ACC and other conference championship games compare.
Here are the conference title games, listed from worst to first:
• BIG EAST: There is no conference championship game because it doesn’t have enough teams (12 is the mandated minimum). Why the Big East is an automatic qualifier in the BCS order of things is beyond logic because it seems to exist only to have its remains picked over by the ACC and Big 12 for their own conference expansion. On a related note: Possible Big East champion Rutgers is considering joining the Big Ten.
• BIG 12: It was forced to cancel its conference championship game after 2010 because the defections of Nebraska (Big Ten) and Colorado (Pacific 12) left the conference with only 10 teams. In other words, the name “Big 12” is a lie! There’s also this: Kansas State, the conference’s best team and No. 1 in the BCS until Saturday, just got flattened by Baylor.
• ACC: The conference championship will match Georgia Tech against Florida State. If the Yellow Jackets lose to Georgia, they will be a 6-6 conference finalist. So much for marquee value. Coastal Division teams Miami and North Carolina are ineligible and usual power Virginia Tech has fallen apart. The Seminoles, winners of the Atlantic, have a nice record (10-1). But they get little love from computers (ranking 17th) and stand only 10th in the BCS. That’s what happens when you lose to North Carolina State and have one win over a ranked team (Clemson).
• BIG TEN: This is very ACC-like. Third-place Wisconsin (4-3, 7-4, with another possible loss this week at Penn State) will represent the “Leaders” Division in the conference championship game. Why? Because Ohio State (7-0, 11-0) and Penn State (5-2, 7-3) both are ineligible. The other finalist will be either Nebraska or Michigan, neither of whom rank among the top 13 schools in the BCS.
• PACIFIC 12: Oregon, the conference’s best team and until Saturday the No. 2 team in the BCS, may not even play for the Pac-12 title now. The Ducks lost to Stanford at home, and now need a win over Oregon State and a Stanford loss to UCLA to get into the game. The Bruins locked up the South Division with last week’s win over USC. But they’re far out of BCS title contention (17th).
• SEC: Conference teams have won six straight BCS championships and, as much as it pains the rest of the populace, there is a chance the SEC will make it seven. If Georgia beats Georgia Tech Saturday and Alabama beats Auburn, the Bulldogs and Crimson Tide will meet next week for not only the SEC championship but a pass into BCS game. Upsets by Tech and/or Auburn would change the scenario. But as of now, the SEC has by far the best conference title game and with the most on the line nationally.
So what else is new?
- By Jeff Schultz
Cyber-chatting on Atlanta sports — and can Tech pull the upset?
Busy times … earlier blogs you might’ve missed
• Falcons win — but run before somebody changes their mind
• Short takes: Ryan awful, defense great, win important
• Georgia’s new reality: From on the brink to BCS title possibility
• Upsets launch Georgia into BCS title picture (updated game column)
• Short takes: Murray wakes up the offense
• Weekend Predictions: Dogs, Jackets, Falcons and the lust triangles
• Falcons’ flaws aren’t worse than any other NFL team
• College hoop kings provide rare thrills for Atlanta
• Falcons’ startling admission: Ray Edwards was a blunder
• Will SEC get team to BCS championship (answer below) (with video)
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498 comments Add your comment
P_The_Ricker
November 19th, 2012
2:50 pm
not what i interpreted. OSU attempts to arrange a cupcake september schedule at all costs.
DeezNutz
November 19th, 2012
2:50 pm
@Buckeye
A chance at the BCS CG this year? – NOPE
A whole mess of moral victories at OSU? – You GOT IT
Hey Suckeye
November 19th, 2012
2:50 pm
I remember seeing Mitch Davis and the Bulldog defense dominate the Kirk Herbsheet led Suckeyes in the Citrus Bowl one time. Garrison Hearst and Eric Zeier had a banner day. Kirk was left rubbing the mud out of his eyes. It would be his last organized game of football. (Wonder why he loves to bash Georgia so much?) The mighty Big 10 Suckeyes were crushed in defeat, just like every other game that counted versus any SEC opponent. That didn’t stop Kirk from pimping the Suckeyes in the national media and proclaiming Sweater Vest as God’s gift to coaching, until they all got busted. Wonder why Kirk had to move away from Ohio after that?
Buckeye
November 19th, 2012
2:51 pm
I-dog
Your play Youngstown State every is misleading.
Our out of conference games (past and present) against storied programs is 2nd to none.
Recent Past: USC and Texas home and home
Future: Oklahoma and Oregon home and home.
DeezNutz
November 19th, 2012
2:52 pm
You guys ever beat those storied progams?
Ron Burgundy
November 19th, 2012
2:52 pm
The SEC Championship has a team that lost one of its two biggest games of the year by 28 points and taht has three conference wins over three teams that have lost every conference game they have played. That’s softer than Kim Kardashian’s tush.
Hey Suckeye
November 19th, 2012
2:54 pm
How many times do the Blowhio State Suckeyes have to get blown away embarrassing themselves in front of a worldwide audience before you admit what you already know, OSU vs SEC = no chance
bamadawg
November 19th, 2012
2:54 pm
Liv’n over here in Bama.They’re all making reservations in Miami. If you mention they haven’t beat UGA yet they laugh. I just keep my mouth shut,we’ll see!!!!!!
Rick James
November 19th, 2012
2:55 pm
@GTBob
If the ACC championship were played in Atlanta it would sell out easily. Even in Charlotte it will more than likely sell out.
———————————————————————————————————————————-
I agree wih you about playing the game in Atlanta..It could be the greatest weekend of the year in college football if the ACC game could be on a Friday night and the SEC game Saturday night..I disagree though about the game in Charlotte selling out unless the Florida St fanbase buys all of the tickets.Nobody but Tech fans want to see a 6-6 team in championship game.And those fans wont go to Bobby Dodd so I doubt that they will travel to Charlotte.
Buckeye
November 19th, 2012
2:55 pm
i dog,
Ya, I was pissed when we cancelled the 2020 2021 home and home w the dogs. I think it was based on scheduling issues with the expanded conference just as you expanded conference precluded you from playing BAMA and LSU for two years straight.
Buckeye
November 19th, 2012
2:56 pm
hey sockeye,
dogs 3-10 v SEC since 2008
No Chance.
dagadawgs
November 19th, 2012
2:57 pm
Buckeye you are an absolute loser! Why would you spend so much time on a blog not devoted to Big Ten football?
Hey Suckeye
November 19th, 2012
3:01 pm
Why did OSU run away from their agreement to play Georgia in the future?
Patched Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
November 19th, 2012
3:01 pm
Buckeye
Your Honor I rest………
LOL
You bring number of Heisman Trophy winners to make your point
LOL
Yea you have more Heisman Trophy winners cause the Big Joke 10 is in the North where there has and always will be a media bias thats why you have more Heisman trophy winners; case in point AL having its 1st winner a few years ago
And as for wins give me a break you guys dont even play to level of football we play down hear. All that is in the Big 10 and has ever been in the Big 10 is Michigan and Ohio St 2 teams
Thats it 2 teams LOL
Hey your Honor
Since 1960 what conference has won the most National Titles and Bowl Games
It sure isnt the Big 2 LOL Confernce its the SEC with the Big 12 in a distant second
So your honor when you have won the most bowl games and national titles the last 50 yrs I do believe you play superior football
I rest my case hot shot
KBP
November 19th, 2012
3:04 pm
Why doesn’t your AD’s schedule games that will position its teams to compete for BCS championships?
Because its boring and hurts the game in general. In the most important weekend of the season not a single SEC team played a quality opponent. What a shocker.
GT Bob. . . Boring and hurts the game in general. Really? Hurts the game for who? The smaller schools who get a big payday to help their budget? The kids who play before the largest crowds they will probably ever play before. The big schools who get to increase their win totals that will help in National rankings because they want to position themselves for BCS titles? None of this is against NCAA nor conference rules. Again, other schools AD’s should adjust their scheduling accordingly. Don’t hate the players(schools);hate the game(system).
Joey
November 19th, 2012
3:04 pm
Those 825 wins include all those you had to give back for cheating Buckeye?
Just want to get a correct number . . .
Hey Suckeye
November 19th, 2012
3:05 pm
dagadawgs, I’ll answer for you. He is unemployed and immature with a poor attitude. Nobody will keep him around after listening to his bs. If he were smart, he would get his sorry rear back to Ohio. At least he would have a better chance in finding somebody who cares what he thinks.
Buckeye
November 19th, 2012
3:07 pm
The dogs are freakin’ 3- 10 v ranked SEC! SEC! since 2008
Obviously, the dogs are not SEC! SEC! material.
Wannabees
Buckeye
November 19th, 2012
3:07 pm
Really, I hate myself:(
Buckeye
November 19th, 2012
3:08 pm
Joey,
Yepper. The VaCa’s are accounted for. Doesn’t change the rankings.
ctech
November 19th, 2012
3:08 pm
Computer Repair. Slow? Champion Technology.
Hey Suckeye
November 19th, 2012
3:09 pm
It’s okay, I just read today that OSU qualifies for the Columbus Tattoo and Drugs Toilet Bowl.
Buckeye
November 19th, 2012
3:09 pm
patched,
The SEC! SEC! has two teams, Bama and LSU although let the records show TN is the all time leader.
Ha!
Buckeye
November 19th, 2012
3:09 pm
Ok. I will admit it. I’m a loser.
Joey
November 19th, 2012
3:10 pm
This is 2012. Who cares about 2009?
Do you care about your 2011 season?
The Big Fat Blogger
November 19th, 2012
3:10 pm
WDE
November 19th, 2012
2:38 pm
The Big Fat Blogger lets take it a little farther shall we…so its a system slanted to get a SEC team into the NC game….I guess its also slanted to ensure they have won the last 6 of these slanted games?
You got a point, and I must admit that I’m not a big college football fan, so I’m speaking as an unbiased fan,but I do watch and observe several (mainly big games) a year and I’m a little confused to how a team such as Georgia (oh, by the way, I always will support my home state teams) can get stomped by usc, but someone such as oregon can lose to a team that was also ranked in the top 15 by a few points in OT and completely get knocked out from any title contention, but yet all uga has to logically do is beat alabama to get into the title game? Just doesn’t make sense; sure, there are more teams in the sec ranked in the top 15 than any other conference, but the sec also has more teams (maybe only the acc has just as much), statistics will say that an sec team would be also automatically in the top 3 year in and year out….. With the dominate emphasis put on the sec every year, (particularly due to media hype) will get the southern breed guys from this region, which makes sense, but it’s kind of a cake walk when each team in the sec (with the exception of maybe 2 different teams each year) only have to play hard in one, two, or maybe three games each year in order to have a great chance at a national title.
Buckeye
November 19th, 2012
3:11 pm
Loooossseeerrrrrr. LOSER. I AM A LOOOOSSSEEERRRRR. Step 1 to my 12 step plan is admitting I have a problem.
Buckeye
November 19th, 2012
3:12 pm
Freedom. I am free. I have a problem and I admit it.
Buckeye
November 19th, 2012
3:13 pm
hey suckeye,
Get your facts straight. Tatt’s -yes. Drugs-no. It was the Tatt artist that was the drug dealer.
Show me one drug arrest of those implicated.
On the other hand, let’s talk brownies, suspensions and weapons charges, shall we?
Patched Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
November 19th, 2012
3:13 pm
Buckeye
UGA has more Bowl wins and Bowl Appearances than LSU and UGA has more SEC championships than LSU
If UGA beats Bama then they will be tied for second for SEC championships
oh
and tell us again whats Ohio St’s record against the SEC
thanks for trying again though
Bigdawg63
November 19th, 2012
3:13 pm
Boy the haters are out today !!! Can’t stand the dawgs and the fact that we are 2 wins away from playing for the crystal ball! Suck it haters, no matter what you say, nothing will change the fact we are there to take the next step and there is nothing you can do about it except whine.
Go dawgs, sic em woof woof!!!
Buckeye
November 19th, 2012
3:13 pm
I am going back to my room now to look at my Kirk Herbstreit poster. He signed it for me back in 2009. What a man.
ATL Tiger
November 19th, 2012
3:14 pm
UGA will get blown out when they play another legit defense (see S Carolina gama). They will play in the Capital One bowl (again) and the fans will complain when LSU gets picked to play in the Sugar Bowl.
Buckeye
November 19th, 2012
3:14 pm
3:11 3:12 Buckeye
Give me all the trash you want but have the nadicals to have your own name
Buckeye
Buckeye
November 19th, 2012
3:15 pm
3:13 Imposter
Buckeye
November 19th, 2012
3:16 pm
I love my OSU band. That thing they do where they spell “Ohio” is so darn cool. Sends chills up my leg all the way to my buckeye.
Buckeye
November 19th, 2012
3:16 pm
patched,
All time, NC’s and Heismans. Don’t give any tied for 2nd.
Buckeye
November 19th, 2012
3:17 pm
Love me some buckeye.
Buckeye
November 19th, 2012
3:17 pm
3:16 (sorry Tim Tebow)
It is TBDBITL, look it up
Dawgfan
November 19th, 2012
3:17 pm
Please tell me a Buckeye fan is not on here talking trash…The only thing HI about Ohio is the Buckeye players and fans themselves. You have been beaten down by the SEC teams so many times it just makes me laugh…
Buckeye
November 19th, 2012
3:17 pm
3:17 Imposter
Buckeye
November 19th, 2012
3:18 pm
Having a conversation with myself here. Like Herschel I have an alter ego. Bad Buckeye/Good Buckeye.
Tom Brown
November 19th, 2012
3:18 pm
Let me summarize………….
Joey
November 19th, 2012
3:19 pm
ATL Tiger: “UGA will get blown out when they play another legit defense.”
**********************************************
UF has a better D than SC, and we didn’t get blown out in Jax.
Buckeye
November 19th, 2012
3:20 pm
dawwgfan
You are 3-10 vs. ranked SEC! SEC! teams since 2008. And one of them was Vanderbilt.
Makes me laugh.
WDE
November 19th, 2012
3:22 pm
The Big Fat Blogger its a matter of timing the later in the year you lose the more it hurts you..and for the record we lost to USC who lost to UF and LSU, LSU beat hell out of a Washington team that beat hell out of a Stanford team that beat hell out of a USC team and Washington by the way got the hell beat out of them by LSU who UF beat hell out of and that we beat..so yes it gets confusing just remember if you can win the SEC most times you get to
WDE
November 19th, 2012
3:23 pm
play for the MNC and the last 6 years win it…
Patched Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
November 19th, 2012
3:23 pm
Buckeye
You come on here talking about the SEC
Im still waiting on a ligitimate response at why the Big 10 is so great
I mean had Ohio St played in the south without 100 yrs of pro Northern media bias they would be nothing more than an Ole Miss level team
Also what was the result of the UGA Ohio St game??????
Remind me I seem to not remember how superior the Ohio St program was to UGA
DeezNutz
November 19th, 2012
3:24 pm
Like how LSU’s D totally owned Ole Miss last weekend? Oh I forgot. That was UGA’s D that dominated that recent common opponent.
DeezNutz
November 19th, 2012
3:25 pm
Dawgs on the way back up … LSU on the way back down.