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Sorry, SEC, you're not the best

by Randy Hill

Veteran columnist Randy Hill is a frequent contributor to FOXSports.com.

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Updated: August 15, 2008, 12:35 PM EDT
The SEC will not finish the 2008 regular season as the strongest conference in college football.

Thank you very much, you've been a great audience and don't forget to tip the waitress.

By the way, that first sentence will not be explained away as a series of typographical errors. It could serve as a colossal error in judgment, but I'm sticking to it ... like a wayward skydiver on a saguaro cactus.

This highly unusual declaration has occurred because the crew at FOXSports.com offered me the opportunity to rank the six BCS conferences. At first twitch, I decided this could be my chance to make a compelling case for why the Pac-10 is much more than mighty USC and a roll call of flag football-caliber superstars.

Despite being a 25-year follower of the Pac-10 and dedicated admirer of USC's talent, passion and success in big games, it took little time to decide that this league was in no position to consider itself on par with the SEC for '08.

But, for this season only, there is a league that qualifies for a slight top-to-bottom edge over the league of Tim Tebow and Matthew Stafford. Continue reading while I ice down my frontal lobe.

1. Big 12

It should be noted that I usually do my best to seriously dislike the Big 12.

What's not to dislike? Choke-lahoma and that raving, 41-year-old "man" who coaches at Oklahoma State aren't easy to rally behind.

The 'Horns haven't been off the hook since Vince Young left for the NFL. In recent seasons, the Nebraska Blackshirts defense seemed incapable of preventing a sportswriter from scoring at the Playboy mansion.

Kansas used to have more NFL prospects on its basketball team and Missouri hadn't shown us much in years.

But things certainly turned around last season, with the final national poll listing four Big 12 teams in the top 10. All four should be capable of rolling again, although the deep thinkers still need another year of convincing from Kansas.

According to preseason rankings conducted by our pals at CollegeFootballNews.com, seven Big 12 teams are listed in the top 35; the SEC has seven in the top 37. While this is subjective and quantifies nothing, it does suggest quality depth in a conference that, at least, should be a runaway as the most entertaining to watch.

While bowing to the SEC's rank as the nation's foremost league over the last 10 years, the Big 12's edge for 2008 is attached to the return of 10 starting quarterbacks.

Calling roll, we find that Chase Daniel (Missouri), Sam Bradford (Oklahoma), Todd Reesing (Kansas), Colt McCoy (Texas) and Graham Harrell (Texas Tech) are among the top pitch men in the nation.

Harrell, receiving dynamo Michael Crabtree and a veteran offensive line could make the Red Raiders this year's sleeper squad if the defense can make a few stops.

Colorado, with QB Cody Hawkins and the nation's top running back recruit (Darrell Scott) in tow, is far from an intramural program, while Bo Pelini seems poised to put some pop back in the Cornhuskers.

Mike Sherman should be an upgrade at Texas A&M and Mike Gundy's 2007 rant deflected attention away from what has become a solid Cowboy program.

2. SEC

The most frantically supported league in the country went 7-2 during the last bowl season, including LSU's clouting of Ohio State in the BCS title game.

SEC backers are more than willing to point out that three teams smell like legitimate title contenders this season.

While allowing the league's defensive speed and intensity to take a bow, I'll step in and point out that three of its top teams are breaking in new quarterbacks. Almost half of the SEC's 24 coordinators are in their first season on the job.

And with all of its talent, devotion and history of triumph, those out-of-conference schedules make us wonder what SEC teams are so afraid of.

3. Pac-10

I realize the top-to-bottom rankings may scream for the Big Ten to be ranked higher, but I'll go with the league that has more outside speed and a greater awareness of how to throw.

Unfortunately, USC may have the only program capable of reaching a BCS date this season, and the Trojans — whose offensive talent should overwhelm concerns regarding its experience — could very well be playing for the title in January.

Oregon looks stickier on defense, but — despite optimism for the new skill people in Eugene — Jonathan Stewart and Dennis Dixon were the players who escorted the Ducks toward elite status. And they're bye-bye.

Arizona State has a load of talented players returning, but its inability to keep QB Rudy Carpenter away from the prone position may continue ... there's no experience at offensive tackle.

UCLA will coach up a storm and recruit to match, but QB-injury issues and a weak offensive line spell immediate doom for Rick Neuheisel. Everyone else seems less than commanding, although Cal has the potential to impress before losing an important game.

4. Big Ten

Ohio State is loaded, the cart is filling up at Illinois, Wisconsin may finally have enough team speed to deal with some SEC teams in a bowl game and Michigan's future looks much brighter than the present.

Solid seasons from Penn State, Michigan State and Purdue could push the Big 10 to third on our roster by season's end.

5. ACC

If eventual resurrections can be counted on in Miami and Tallahassee, the future ceiling for this league is not bad. If consistency from Clemson is relied upon when the league looks for national respect this year, fifth seems about right.

Eight consecutive BCS-game losses will not be soon forgotten, but Paul Johnson coaching at Georgia Tech is a boost for the league.

6. Big East

It'll be interesting to see if West Virginia can remain separated from its cronies following a big coaching change.

After two years of in-league haymakers, we quickly should find out which of these up-and-coming programs is good enough to stay.

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Is this guy serious. What a moron. How did he ever get a job writing for foxsports? His job is to analyze the data and make decisions judged on how teams play... not what team he has loved his whole life. FIRE HIM!

tahankstahanks
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bamf, you might try looking in the box score. WVU was up by 28 in the first half! Then let everyone on the team get a taste of the action before putting the starters back in.

bladeograssbladeograss
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Randy Hill - What kind of a dunbazz comment is "Wisconsin may finally have enough team speed to deal with some SEC teams in a bowl game." Were you out of the country in January 2006 and 2007 when the Badgers beat Auburn by 2 Td's and Arkansas in back-to-back Citrus Bowls? They lost by four points to Tennessee in the Outback Bowl last year because the HC decided to pass on a FG and failed on 4th down in mid-4th quarter. It had nothing to do with team speed. Watch the film of those 3 games and give up on the throwaway comments because you're too lazy to do the research.

mosebymoseby
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bladeograss.....<br /><br />a 3 pt win is a kick in the mouth huh?<br /><br />I thought 41-14 was a kick in the mouth!

BAMF1960BAMF1960
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All of the talk about "Strength of Schedule." Being a Vanderbilt alumnus I like to point to the schedule they play each year. This season they have four of the Top 25 on their list....Auburn, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. And, that's every year and occasionally they have more. Just a bit more challenging than "Podunk A&T" or the "Little Sisters of the Little Brothers."

P38P38
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I am not a big east lover or hater but when you look at the bowl record of big east teams vs. other conferences the last 4 or 5 years the BE is doing pretty darn good. EX. WVU kicked UGA in the mouth two years ago in the sugar bowl and did the same thing to OU last year. The BE may not have house hold college football name brand schools but it can play with anyone

bladeograssbladeograss
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As an OU fan I would tend to be biased and agree with this ranking, but, this may prove to be true this year. The conference is loaded with QB's from Texas high schools and that makes for awesome college football. Throw in an awesome QB NOT from a Texas high school like Sam Bradford and you got a great mix. Unfortunately, the SEC has already discovered what a QB from a Texas high school can do and this will keep the SEC rocking.

montatermontater
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Big 12 is #1 and the Big East is #6. That's completely laughable!!!<br /><br />Look at the solid out of conference record the Big East has. Since the ACC raid, the Big East champ has defeated the SEC, ACC, and Big 12 Champs in the BCS games. 3-0 BCS record.

stevewazstevewaz
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Ridman,<br />Please visit eharmony. It will give you something to do besides being a jerk. You lonely sick minded person please get a life. I go to a liberal arts college in KY and the people here are very intellegent. I can tell by your poor grammar that you would not last here. I can read I scored a 25 on the reading section of the ACT so yea. Are you even in college? You are prbably just some drunken loser.

kyfan_gtownfankyfan_gtownfan
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All I can ask is....."Randy Hill WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN SMOKING?" Something good obviously!!!!

BuzzDawg22BuzzDawg22
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kyfan<br /><br />Hey, don't shoot the messenger, if you don't like living in an area that overwhelmingly leads the nation in illiteracy and obesity then you have 2 choices:<br /><br />You can move or you can help teach people to read.<br /><br />What do you do??? You insult me. Guess what, I have nothing to do with the overwheling stooopidity that exists in SEC states, why don't you go fire insults at the school board.<br /><br />But kyfan, the more I hear comments from people like you, the further proof we all get on the illiteracy statistics. That isn't an attack, it's just stating facts. People who tend to ingore facts tend to be the least educated, see the pattern here?

RidmanRidman
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Ridman,<br />Look who is talking because you are using insults and poor grammar. I am very educated and come from KY. You are making no one look bad but you. Your attacks are ignorant and how much education do you have? I go to a private liberal arts college and I doubt you can beat that. You are a bad person and a poor excuse for a human being. I only insulted you becuase you started it and I am defending myself and the south.

kyfan_gtownfankyfan_gtownfan
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Highest BCS Bowl Winning Percentages By Conference<br /><br /> Conference <br /> Percentage(Record) <br /> <br />Mountain West 1.000 (1-0) <br /> <br />Southeastern .733 (11-4)<br /> <br />Pacific-10 .667 (8-4)<br /> <br />Big East .600 (6-4) <br /> <br />WAC .500 (1-1) <br /> <br />Big Ten .471 (8-9) <br /> <br />Big 12 .429 (6-8) <br /> <br />Atlantic Coast .100 (1-9) <br /> <br />Independents .000 (0-3) <br /> <br /><br />The best conference is not the conference with the best top teams. It is the conference that is most solid top to bottom. The SEC has sent more teams to bowl games than any other conference. And despite the fact that even our mid level teams make bowl games, the SEC still has the highest bowl game winning percentage of any conference except the Mountain West conference and their one win.<br /><br />...nough said

BeachBM1982BeachBM1982
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AHHH!! I am mad college football fan!!! I make mean comments about everyone's school or conference and use the word "sucks" a lot. I live at home with my mom and have never known the touch of a woman!!! I love flannel and not exercising!!!

Bruiser98Bruiser98
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Ridman.....<br /><br />HAHA..... I was surfing and caught another blog, where you claim to be a CU Buffs fan.... LOL....... no I see where your short richard mentality comes from.<br /><br />Assclown...... just about all know, that I'm a Gator fan. You are hiding behind the pathetic 6-8 BCS bowl big12. You're slinging mud at the SEC and we own you. In your words, that lowly Bama SEC team schooled your Buffs...... they jumped on a stump and hit you in the 'wink the stink'....... <br /><br />You are a LOSER, hiding behind the skirt that the big12 wears.. LMAO. <br /><br />CU Buffs..... ha ha ha ha!

BAMF1960BAMF1960
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bamf<br /><br />That's what's so pathetic about you...and some of you SEC fans. My TEAM is not the Big12...as your TEAM seems to be the SEC.<br /><br />Now you fire insults because you have nothing else, facts don't work for you, so insults are the foolish man's way of trying to feel superior. Keep it up foolish-bamf, sorry that you are soooooo uneducated that insults are the only way you can communicate with educated people.<br /><br />Has the SEC EVER had 4 teams ranked in th top 10 at the END of the season????<br /><br />Nope, Never, Ever. Wow, top to bottom, SEC can only claim BOTTOM<br /><br /><br />HAHAHAH, no sorry man, I said END, not the poll loving SEC BEFORE the games are played, the END Einstein!!!!!<br /><br />Yes that would be AFTER Fla gets beeeeotch slapped by a weeeeek Mich team in your home yard.OOOOUUUUCCCCHHHHH

RidmanRidman
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ridman.... LOL. you are smokng too many white owls.<br /><br />you suck & your team sucks & your conference sucks.... not that there is anything wrong with that.<br /><br />how about getting a team that will back up your smack talk..... currently it ain't happening.<br /><br />And who couldn't have scored on my Gators last year..... I mean only the 218th ranked pass defense.<br /><br />If I were you, I'd be worried that your team got beat by BSU..... LOL then got clowned by WVU..... LOL.<br /><br />Only an assclown such as yourself would bring up academics when you run out of ammunition in the CFB dept. You are king of the assbags.....LOL<br /><br />Now get back to your brokeback mountain escapades, you had to leave your brothers behind to blog....... shame, shame.

BAMF1960BAMF1960
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The NIL/NALS report confirms once again that Southern US states continue to have the most deplorable social conditions in the country, including the highest rates of adult illiteracy. Mississippi ranked worst among the 50 states, with every third adult in the state, 30 percent of its adult population, placed in Level I. Louisiana has the second highest illiteracy rate with 28 percent of its adult population in Level I, followed by Alabama, Florida and South Carolina, each with 25 percent. In these states the combined Level I and Level II literacy rates would push the level of illiteracy and near-illiteracy to nearly 70 percent of the adult population.<br /><br />BAMF, No wonder you don't speeek so good and your math aint be too good either.<br /><br />HAHAHAHAHAH. Being a marooon is one thing, want to see the obesity statistics???<br /><br />Fat and duuuumb, a great way to go thru life, welcome to SEC country!!!!!

RidmanRidman
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bamfclown, <br /><br />sorry man, your SEC official website doesn't support your bumbling.<br /><br />Are you pulling your pud every time you say OK and 4 BCS losses??? I sure hope so.<br /><br />Didn't the Big12 have 4 top 10 teams last season???<br />Yes they did, how many did the SEC have????<br /><br />The Big12 has had multiple 4 top ten teams, has the SEC EVER had 4 in the top ten???<br /><br />HHHMMMMMMMM, the SEC is SOOOOO great top to bottom, maybe the key word for SEC fans is BOTTOM.<br /><br />Go focus on Ken and SC, teams that beat your top teams, try to make yourselves feel good about your bottom teams. The top teams in the Big12 are clearly better than the top teams in the SEC, last season and every decade before that, look it up, facts are facts.<br /><br />Mich hung 44 on FLA???? Dude, Mich score 10 points COMBINED against OSU and Ore. That was at home, Mich scored at will in FLA, dude, that is HEEEEELARIOUS!!!!

RidmanRidman
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HAHA very funny assclowns.... <br /><br />The recognized NT's for the SEC is 22.(its 26 for all SEC teams, I'm not counting the 4 Bama earned before the SEC formed).<br /><br />the big12 NT's 15.<br /><br />this is not coming out of thin air. Its documented fact.<br /><br />Now, see what you can do about Choke-lahoma's 4 straight BCS bowl game slide...LOL. big 12 conference is 6-8 in BCS bowls..... but you two clowns probably think I made that up also. LOL.

BAMF1960BAMF1960
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