Cecil Hurt
TideSports.com Columnist
0
Is the SEC too tough for its own good?
As far as the College Playoff is concerned, it might turn out that way.
The selection standard for that playoff -- now four teams instead of two -- was changed to a Committee precisely for situations that seem to be arising now. Any true mathematical measure of strength of schedule was removed so the "unbiased" committee members can overlook the strength of any conference schedule. The reward goes to teams like Oklahoma and Florida State. They are good teams, certainly, but played highly manageable non-conference schedules and are now about to embark upon week after week of league games against a steady diet of hot garbage. (If you want to pretend that Baylor or West Virginia or Notre Dame might pull an upset, indulge yourself. It does not change the dynamic.)
Even the SEC champion, survivor of by far the toughest gauntlet in the sport, might not be guaranteed a spot in the final four if it loses two league games (a very possible outcome.)
You could see the fix going in when the committee was formed, but that doesn't make it any less worrisome to watch as it plays out. I know that isn't the usual snark of the Power Poll, but keep that scenario in mind.
SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE POWER RANKINGS
RANKLWTEAM
1
2
Texas A&M Aggies
Record: 3-0 (1-0)
The Aggies win over South Carolina looks even better. It's tempting to penalize A&M for not testing itself in the non-conference but their schedule could be worse -- they could still be playing Texas.
2
3
Alabama Crimson Tide
Record: 3-0 (0-0)
In case you have forgotten, Alabama and Florida has been a defining, if infrequently played, game in the SEC for more than 20 years. This week, someone (Blake Sims? Will Muschamp?) can solidify their job status. Or otherwise.
3
4
Auburn Tigers
Record: 2-0 (1-0)
The Tigers play a Thursday night game against Kansas State that could enhance the SEC's reputation. Hence, Alabama fans will be pulling for them,right? When you stop laughing your head off, please read the rest of the poll.
4
5
LSU Tigers
Record: 3-0 (0-0)
Saturday's game with Mississippi State is intriguing, but the Tigers still have more talent than the Bulldogs. Although maybe not as much more as usual.
5
7[img alt="" src="https://ct.yimg.com/mr/uploads/885/524113.gif" >Ole Miss Rebels
Record: 3-0 (1-0)
Bo Wallace For Heisman fever as gripped the country, if you consider Highway 6 from Pontotoc to Batesville to be "the country." His chance to spread beyond that comes later.
6
6
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Record: 3-0 (0-0)
Sooner or later, MSU has to win a game against one of the SEC West's traditional powers, Until then, it's SOS -- Same Old State.
7
12
Arkansas Razorbacks
Record: 2-1 (0-1)
Trampled by Hogs is a bad way to go, Sorry, Kliff.
8
9
Missouri Tigers
Record: 2-0 (0-0)
Playing a Big 10 team (Indiana) on Saturday, so insert your own joke here.
9
11
South Carolina Gamecocks
Record: 2-1 (1-1)
Never count Steve Spurrier out, especially in a coaching mismatch.
10
1[img alt="" src="https://ct.yimg.com/mr/uploads/885/524111.gif" >Georgia Bulldogs
Record: 2-1 (0-1)
You could replenish the Arctic ice cap simply by freezing the amount of talent that Mark Richt has flushed down the toilet in Athens.
11
6
Florida Gators
Record: 2-0 (1-0)
We still have to sort out whether Kentucky is a lot better or Florida isn't. Until we do, this is the designated spot for a triple-overtime win over the Wildcats.
12
10
Tennessee Volunteers
Record: 2-1 (0-0)
Didn't play that badly against Oklahoma, but still have a long way to go.
13
13[img alt="" src="https://ct.yimg.com/mr/uploads/885/524112.gif" >Kentucky Wildcats
Record: 2-1 (0-1)
See Florida.
14
14
Vanderbilt Commodores
Record: 1-2 (0-1)
The SEC's own little corner of the Big 10.
https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1682710#sthash.VaNSVnJC.dpuf
TideSports.com Columnist
0
Is the SEC too tough for its own good?
As far as the College Playoff is concerned, it might turn out that way.
The selection standard for that playoff -- now four teams instead of two -- was changed to a Committee precisely for situations that seem to be arising now. Any true mathematical measure of strength of schedule was removed so the "unbiased" committee members can overlook the strength of any conference schedule. The reward goes to teams like Oklahoma and Florida State. They are good teams, certainly, but played highly manageable non-conference schedules and are now about to embark upon week after week of league games against a steady diet of hot garbage. (If you want to pretend that Baylor or West Virginia or Notre Dame might pull an upset, indulge yourself. It does not change the dynamic.)
Even the SEC champion, survivor of by far the toughest gauntlet in the sport, might not be guaranteed a spot in the final four if it loses two league games (a very possible outcome.)
You could see the fix going in when the committee was formed, but that doesn't make it any less worrisome to watch as it plays out. I know that isn't the usual snark of the Power Poll, but keep that scenario in mind.
SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE POWER RANKINGS
RANKLWTEAM
1
2
Record: 3-0 (1-0)
The Aggies win over South Carolina looks even better. It's tempting to penalize A&M for not testing itself in the non-conference but their schedule could be worse -- they could still be playing Texas.
2
3
Record: 3-0 (0-0)
In case you have forgotten, Alabama and Florida has been a defining, if infrequently played, game in the SEC for more than 20 years. This week, someone (Blake Sims? Will Muschamp?) can solidify their job status. Or otherwise.
3
4
Record: 2-0 (1-0)
The Tigers play a Thursday night game against Kansas State that could enhance the SEC's reputation. Hence, Alabama fans will be pulling for them,right? When you stop laughing your head off, please read the rest of the poll.
4
5
Record: 3-0 (0-0)
Saturday's game with Mississippi State is intriguing, but the Tigers still have more talent than the Bulldogs. Although maybe not as much more as usual.
5
7[img alt="" src="https://ct.yimg.com/mr/uploads/885/524113.gif" >Ole Miss Rebels
Record: 3-0 (1-0)
Bo Wallace For Heisman fever as gripped the country, if you consider Highway 6 from Pontotoc to Batesville to be "the country." His chance to spread beyond that comes later.
6
6
Record: 3-0 (0-0)
Sooner or later, MSU has to win a game against one of the SEC West's traditional powers, Until then, it's SOS -- Same Old State.
7
12
Record: 2-1 (0-1)
Trampled by Hogs is a bad way to go, Sorry, Kliff.
8
9
Record: 2-0 (0-0)
Playing a Big 10 team (Indiana) on Saturday, so insert your own joke here.
9
11
Record: 2-1 (1-1)
Never count Steve Spurrier out, especially in a coaching mismatch.
10
1[img alt="" src="https://ct.yimg.com/mr/uploads/885/524111.gif" >Georgia Bulldogs
Record: 2-1 (0-1)
You could replenish the Arctic ice cap simply by freezing the amount of talent that Mark Richt has flushed down the toilet in Athens.
11
6
Record: 2-0 (1-0)
We still have to sort out whether Kentucky is a lot better or Florida isn't. Until we do, this is the designated spot for a triple-overtime win over the Wildcats.
12
10
Record: 2-1 (0-0)
Didn't play that badly against Oklahoma, but still have a long way to go.
13
13[img alt="" src="https://ct.yimg.com/mr/uploads/885/524112.gif" >Kentucky Wildcats
Record: 2-1 (0-1)
See Florida.
14
14
Record: 1-2 (0-1)
The SEC's own little corner of the Big 10.
https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1682710#sthash.VaNSVnJC.dpuf
