Wednesday, October 22, 2008

SEC is BETTER than Big 12

SEC is BETTER than Big 12!

Part 2

If you are reading this from Blogster or Wordpress, this is the second part of the argument. I realize some Big 12 fans are reading this with blood in their eyes, but this is the flip side of the argument. On my other blog on Blogspot.com, I make the identical argument that the Big 12 is better than the SEC…you might wanna check that out.

I have both sides posted on blogspot because that is my main site for my blogs, so if you want to read the reverse of this argument, check that one out.

This is based on the temporary argument of whether the Big 12 Conference is better than the SEC. Currently right now, the number 1 team in the nation is Texas, in virtually every poll from here to Neptune. The #2 team is Alabama, on as many planets. Earlier this football season there were as many as 6 or 7 SEC teams ranked in the top 25 at the same time, sparking the idea that the SEC is by far the best in the nation. But lately, many of the Big 12 teams are on the top 25, and most of the Heisman candidates are from this conference, creating the debate that the Big 12 is better.

So which is it?

Let’s argue this from the end that the SEC is better.

First off when it comes to the Heisman, remind me who won last year? And which Conference he came from? And WHO has won the last TWO BCS Championships and three of the last 5?

SEC!

But even this year there is proof of the SEC’s greatness over the Big 12. The SEC has 4 very qualified teams that could easily end up in the National Championship. Everybody knows about Alabama being #2, but the SEC also has Florida at #5, Georgia at #9 and LSU at #11. Any of these teams can be in the BCS Championship at season’s end.

The SEC has 53 wins in the conference at this very moment, and 30 losses. Of those 30 losses, at least 23 came from teams that are either currently ranked, or have been ranked. This is proof of the quality of SEC football, from top to bottom. And the SEC has defeated at least 13 teams that were ranked or had been ranked during the course of the season…almost twice as many as the Big 12!

Take a look at the losses and how it proves that the SEC is a very strong conference. Georgia’s only loss came to currently #2 Alabama. Vanderbilt lost recently to ranked Georgia. All three of South Carolina’s losses came to ranked teams. Kentucky’s two losses came to Alabama and South Carolina, who was ranked earlier this year. Even in a tough season, Tennessee lost 3 of their 4 games to Florida, Auburn and Georgia. We know LSU lost to Florida, and Auburn lost to LSU and Vanderbilt, both being ranked. Arkansas lost 4 games this year so far, but look at who they lost to: then #9 Auburn, then #7 Texas and then ranked #12 Florida, all in a stretch of 3 straight games! They lost to Kentucky as well, which was ranked for a moment.

Why even the Mississippi teams faced tough competition! Mississippi is 3-4, but lost to Wake Forest, Vanderbilt, South Carolina and Alabama. Don’t tell me that isn’t a tough schedule. And Mississippi State…well, they can’t all be steaks, but the did lose to Auburn and LSU.

Need more proof of SEC’s greatness?

Even though Texas is #2 overall in rushing defense, the SEC has FIVE teams in the top 20 and in scoring defense. You’re just not getting a lot of points in THIS conference.

Florida, Kentucky and Vanderbilt are in the top 20 in turnover margin, NONE of the Big 12 are in this category. And even though Oklahoma is #2 in red zone scoring, the SEC has two teams in the top 5 (Florida, Vanderbilt).

Florida is the best team in turnovers lost in both SEC and Big 12 and Two SEC teams are in the top 20 in turnovers gained (Kentucky and Vanderbilt). And when it comes to interceptions, Florida is the best with only 1.

If the Big 12 likes to throw the ball, prepare to have it taken away by the SEC. There are FIVE SEC teams in the top 30 in interceptions…only 1 team in the Big 12 (Texas Tech).

So when it comes down to it, the SEC is the tougher conference, and if placed head to head, the SEC’s defense and ability to get the ball will make the difference. The Big 12 might score 10,000 points against their opponents, but when you play the SEC, you’ll be lucky to get 10 points.

How then can anyone say the Big 12 is better, when it’s the SEC that is supreme?

(oh well, there goes my Big 12 donations…)

(Note: This is two part of a two-part discussion where I am intentionally playing devil’s advocate. I am a fan of both so this is not intended to discourage any fans of either conference. It’s all in fun)

Big 12 is better than SEC!

Big 12 is BETTER than SEC!

Now, if you are reading this on Blogspot, then you will see both sides of this, because I will flip this argument over on the next blog. Some of you may have come over from Blogster and Wordpress because I will share the flip side on all three of my blogs, but it should be in interesting debate.

This is based on the temporary argument of whether the Big 12 Conference is better than the SEC. Currently right now, the number 1 team in the nation is Texas, in virtually every poll from here to Neptune. The #2 team is Alabama, on as many planets. Earlier this football season there were as many as 6 or 7 SEC teams ranked in the top 25 at the same time, sparking the idea that the SEC is by far the best in the nation. But lately, many of the Big 12 teams are on the top 25, and most of the Heisman candidates are from this conference, creating the debate that the Big 12 is better.

So which is it?

I’m splitting this in two parts, this being the first, and on this blog, I am gonna argue why the Big 12 is the best. So pardon the bias for the next few minutes.

The Big 12 Conference is THE best football conference in the country, better than SEC simply because the #1 team is Texas. If representation is a key part of greatness, then you cannot deny that the best team comes from the best conference.

Second case, there are currently 9 teams left in the Division I that have yet to lose… THREE of those come from the Big 12. The BCS recognizes SIX teams from the Big 12 on the top 25: Texas #1, Oklahoma #4, Oklahoma State #6, and Texas Tech #8 round out the top 10.

And the conference is still tough, of the 12 teams, only 3 currently have a losing record. The Big 12 has 56 wins and 28 losses…a very tough record to beat.

But examine this further and see the greatness of the Big 12. Of those 28 losses, at least 15 of those came from ranked teams. This shows that the Big 12 plays very competitive football, and whether from conference or out of conference, it usually takes a top 25 team to take them down.

For example, Kansas is 5-2, but those two losses came from then #19 South Florida and #4 Oklahoma. Missouri is also 5-2, but their last two games were against top ranked Oklahoma State and Texas, both being losses. Nebraska has three losses, but look who they lost to: Missouri and Texas Tech, both ranked, and Virginia Tech, who was ranked earlier (and likely again before the season is over).

Need more proof?

Colorado lost 3 games, two to ranked foes Texas and Kansas, but also lost to Florida State, which just made the top 25 recently. Everybody knows about Oklahoma losing to Texas, but did you know that even with Baylor’s record, they have played a very tough schedule? They lost to Wake Forest, which was ranked for several weeks, lost to Uconn, who was ranked, and lost to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. Folks that is a very TOUGH schedule.

Of Texas A&M’s 5 losses, one was to Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. I think Miami was ranked for a week. Kansas State had a loss to Texas Tech and I think Louisville was ranked earlier this year…not quite sure. And Iowa State…well, they can’t all be steaks….

If you took all 28 losses and factored out the ranked teams and teams that have been ranked this year, that would make up about 20 of those losses. This is a very strong case for the Big 12 being the best conference in the nation…bar none.

Need more proof?

If it comes to scoring, there are 6 Big 12 teams that score better than Alabama, the SEC’s best team. Seven teams in the Big 12 have higher yards per game average than the SEC’s best team, that being Georgia. If it’s gonna be a shootout, then the Big 12 has this covered.

Even on defense there is credibility. Two of the top 5 teams in sacks come from the Big 12, being Oklahoma and Texas. In lost fumbles, Oklahoma is the best with 0 lost fumbles, so they don’t make many mistakes, and the Big 12 protects the quarterback better than the SEC, with 4 of the top 20 teams of fewest sacks allowed.

Even in the redzone the Big 12 is better, with Oklahoma being second best in the nation. Why, even head to head, the Big 12 is better this year. Earlier this year, Texas crushed Arkansas 52-10.

How then can anyone say the SEC is better, when it’s the Big 12 that is supreme?

(oh well, there goes my SEC donations…)

(Note: This is one part of a two-part discussion where I am intentionally playing devil’s advocate. I am a fan of both so this is not intended to discourage any fans of either conference. It’s all in fun)