Since its been brought up, SEC teams played the following teams in the regular season last year:

 

Virginia Tech, Oklahoma State, Georgia Tech, Cal, Florida State (twice), Louisville, Wake Forest, Kansas State, WVU, and Mizzou

add california

Since its been brought up, SEC teams played the following teams in the regular season last year:

 

Virginia Tech, Oklahoma State, Georgia Tech, Cal, Florida State (twice), Louisville, Wake Forest, Kansas State, WVU, and Mizzou

 

Which equates to about one "good" OOC game for each team in the SEC. Which is one more than about 60% of the teams in the Big 10 played last year. A difference, absolutely, but not an overwhelming one.

 

Furthermore, it just so happens that the two of the cellar dwellers in the SEC played the top two teams on that list (WVU and Mizzou). Coincidence?

 

Better than the Big 10? Sure. But there isn't a very big gap, approx. 5-7 teams from the SEC have a better opponent in ONE OOC game. The rest of the games are very comparable. The Big 10 might actually have the edge there, with MUCH better 1AA teams (whatever that means) and the MAC vs. the Sun Belt.

Since its been brought up, SEC teams played the following teams in the regular season last year:

 

Virginia Tech, Oklahoma State, Georgia Tech, Cal, Florida State (twice), Louisville, Wake Forest, Kansas State, WVU, and Mizzou

 

add california

 

And for UTL:

 

The SEC played 3 of the top 7 non-SEC teams. I'd say thats quite a bit better than the Big11.

And for UTL:

 

The SEC played 3 of the top 7 non-SEC teams. I'd say thats quite a bit better than the Big11.

 

I totally get that (even though they were 1-2 in those games). But it is one game.......out of four. It's not like Florida played 4 great OOC games. They played one......and 3 really bad ones, as opposed to the Big 10's 1 average game.......and 3 really bad ones. Again, not that big of a difference IMO. People are making out like the SEC played 4 quality OOC opponents and the Big 10 played 4 1AA schools.

But it is one game.......out of four.

 

Thats all it takes though.

 

Its not like we're talking about playing 3 good teams vs. 2. We're talking about playing 1 good team vs 0. You have to put yourself up to that measuring stick.

 

Had tOSU played a top 10 team OOC this year (and won of course) it would've quieted a lot of the "they don't belong" people going into the title game.

Thats all it takes though.

 

Its not like we're talking about playing 3 good teams vs. 2. We're talking about playing 1 good team vs 0. You have to put yourself up to that measuring stick.

 

Had tOSU played a top 10 team OOC this year (and won of course) it would've quieted a lot of the "they don't belong" people going into the title game.

 

In the grand scheme of things, really, what difference does one game at the beginning of the season make? Look at UT vs. Cal this past year. UT certainly showed they were much better than they played in that game at the end of the year. To judge who does and who doesn't belong on a game that was played 4 months prior to the fact is asinine IMO.

 

Blame the system here, the real question is why in the heck WOULDN'T you want to play a bunch of weak teams? The system is what puts the impetus on your W/L record and not on who you play. Heck, we didn't even have these problems with the old AP voting.

 

I see it like this:

 

SEC

1 good team

3 very bad teams (the Sun Belt and the 1AA teams they played were horrible)

 

Big 10

 

1 average team

3 bad teams (the MAC is still better than the Sun Belt and they 1AA teams they had were much better)

 

What does all this mean? Absolutely nothing.

Thats all it takes though.

 

Its not like we're talking about playing 3 good teams vs. 2. We're talking about playing 1 good team vs 0. You have to put yourself up to that measuring stick.

 

Had tOSU played a top 10 team OOC this year (and won of course) it would've quieted a lot of the "they don't belong" people going into the title game.

 

No it would not. Last year Ohio State played 3 number 2's. 1 out of Conf., 1 in Conf. and 1 in the NC.

 

Ohio State one the first two and the third, well........

First of all this thread had nothing to do with UK--it was about the Big 10 but since you opened the can of worms the past 20 seasons UK is 10-1 against the MAC. Perhaps your relationship with MAC teams clouded your memory.

 

 

My point was that MAC can play some decent football. I apologize for trying to bring UK in to the thread. I never said UK lost a bunch of games, just that for the most part the MAC teams have come to Commonwealth and played fairly well. But, you may be right, In that one lone victory for the MAC may have clouded my memory. I can still see those OHIO boys celebrating after the win at UK

No it would not. Last year Ohio State played 3 number 2's. 1 out of Conf., 1 in Conf. and 1 in the NC.

 

Ohio State one the first two and the third, well........

 

You're talking abotu 2006, when nobody questioned tOSU being in the title game, and many people wanted an all Big11 title with tOSU vs UM.

 

In 2007, the Big11 was down, and tOSU didn't play any good OOC games. Combine that with the fact that they (and UM) were obliterated by the last good OOC team they played, and people were skeptical. They proved they didn't belong by getting whipped AGAIN. Although UM did save some face by taking care of UF.

 

People on both sides of this debate are being stupid. The Big11 is normally a strong conference, and the big teams usually play at least one good OOC team.

 

BUT in 2007, neither of those was true. The Big11 was down across the board, and they didn't step out and play any big OOC games.

 

There are good teams and good coaches in the Big11, and they'll end up back on top at some point.

You're talking abotu 2006, when nobody questioned tOSU being in the title game, and many people wanted an all Big11 title with tOSU vs UM.

 

In 2007, the Big11 was down, and tOSU didn't play any good OOC games. Combine that with the fact that they (and UM) were obliterated by the last good OOC team they played, and people were skeptical. They proved they didn't belong by getting whipped AGAIN. Although UM did save some face by taking care of UF.

 

People on both sides of this debate are being stupid. The Big11 is normally a strong conference, and the big teams usually play at least one good OOC team.

 

BUT in 2007, neither of those was true. The Big11 was down across the board, and they didn't step out and play any big OOC games.

 

There are good teams and good coaches in the Big11, and they'll end up back on top at some point.

 

 

I know I was talking about 2006, but most people in this argument are saying the Big Ten is not a legit conference. I think that statement is way over the top. I do agree with you very much in that the Big 10 was way down this year. Ironically I felt that this years team was better than the '06 team.

In 2007 the SEC played twelve OOC games against teams from BCS conferences.

The Big 11 played eight OOC games agaist teams from BCS conferences and 3 times against Notre Dame. Is it the fault of the Big 11 teams that Notre Dame decided to have a really sucky year?

 

The Big 11 OOC schedule will be better in the next few years. At least for Ohio State!

If the Big 10 wants to be legit, they should schedule some home-and-homes with the SEC :thumb:

If the Big 10 wants to be legit, they should schedule some home-and-homes with the SEC :thumb:

 

That would be great! I would love to see more match ups with SEC Teams.

UK used to play IU every year, but that fell by the wayside. I think Ohio St and UK makes geographical sense.

 

With all that I have said, trying to defend the Big 11, I do think that for the past few years the SEC has played better football than any other conference top to bottom. I have always been a huge SEC fan, second only to The Big 11.

 

I dream of one day, having the opportunity to see football games in Baton Rouge, Knoxville and Tuscaloosa. Just for the experience.

1. Recruit more speed, conference wide.

2. Play road games every year vs another BCS school.

3. Don't stop playing at Thanksgiving and take off 60 days before the Bowl.

4. If possible add N.D.

I agree in all counts. They need a conference championship game.