quote:

Originally posted by BamaRabbi:
Help me fellow Bama fans, but have we always been so passionate about our conference? It seems to me that Bama fans might be more passionate about the SEC than other teams in the conference. I know most Auburn, Tennessee, and Miss. St. fans ALWAYS cheer for whoever we're playing. I was trying so hard to cheer for Tennessee Monday night but just couldn't do it. I felt like I had somehow betrayed the SEC but then thought, "who cares?" Tennessee would be screaming for any other team but Alabama. I felt better about my outlandish screaming for UCLA. I just don't really get the SEC pride. I mean LSU was the National Champion and I must admit, I HATE THAT and know they would hate it if we were. I'll stick with BAMA pride and let the SEC take care of itself.

Mazletov. Agreed. I don't care about the conference as long as they are tough enough to make games enjoyable and keep the strength of schedule up there and as long as they keep those $$$ rolling into the University coffers.

It has taken several years to get my mind around this concept... so hear me out.

We need each other.... desperately. SEC teams need other SEC teams to win. We don't like each other, but we need each other to win.

Once upon a time, there was only one player in the SEC. Alabama could sweep the conference, and the polls would barely pay notice. The networks just simply ignored us unless we played Ohio State, USC or Penn State.

I can remember when The Third Saturday In October or the Iron Bowl wasn't even televised. I don't ever want to go there again.

I am a born and bred Tennessean. And only by the grace of God, am I a graduate of The University of Alabama. I don't understand this antimosity Alabamians have for Auburn, cause for me there are only two rivals, UTK and Notre Dame.

I used to tell folks, "I will pull for UTK only if they're playing Notre Dame. If Notre Dame is playing the Russians, I'm pulling for the Russians."

i never pull for auburn when they are playing other SEC teams, but i usually find myself pulling for them and all other SEC teams in bowl games...if tennessee and auburn never won another game then the football season wouldnt be as fun for me...i like watching alabama beat a good tennessee or auburn team

Some of you are missing the point. You keep pointing to OSU as an example of why the conference doesn't mean anything. But, I'm pointing to OSU as a reason why the conference DOES mean something. Because OSU has gotten pounded in OOC games recently (and will against USC this year) they and the whole Big 10 is losing credibility. You hear it mentioned all the time. Sooner or later, other teams with the same number of losses will start getting ranked higher than OSU and other big 10 teams in the polls. OSU is a prime example of why we DO want the SEC to do well.

Congratulations, my friend... you are a freakin' genius!

quote:

Originally posted by Teague:
Some of you are missing the point. You keep pointing to OSU as an example of why the conference doesn't mean anything. But, I'm pointing to OSU as a reason why the conference DOES mean something. Because OSU has gotten pounded in OOC games recently (and will against USC this year) they and the whole Big 10 is losing credibility. You hear it mentioned all the time. Sooner or later, other teams with the same number of losses will start getting ranked higher than OSU and other big 10 teams in the polls. OSU is a prime example of why we DO want the SEC to do well.

Does anyone have the formula for the BCS ratings. I think this will help some of you figure out why its best for teams we play in the SEC to be ranked higher. OSU and USC go undefeated or have 1 loss every year. Thats why they are ranked so high. If you look they are usually ranked in the top 5 in each preseason poll. Do you think BAMA would have jumped to #13 if we beat FURMAN. NO!!! The recruting argument doesnt get it, CNS is the best recruiter in the country, win or lose on the field he still recruits. SOS, win/loss and rankings not only for BAMA but the teams we play matter in the NC picture. Do your research before you let your pride get in the way of facts.ROLLTIDE!!!

quote:

Originally posted by In HSV:

quote:

Originally posted by Teague:
Wrong, wrong, wrong, and wrong.


You don't have to LIKE the other teams. It's just in our best interest if our conference beats up on other conferences. For example, do you think a one loss ACC team would go to the NC game over a one loss SEC team? No. Why, because they can't beat anyone outside of their conference. In fact, I'd bet a two loss SEC team would have a chance of getting the nod over a one loss ACC or big east team.

That is exactly why you should hope the SEC wins every out of conference game. And like it or not, how those SEC teams do this year affects how they're viewed next year and even the year after. So, if TN, AU, FL, etc. kick ass in OOC games THIS year, it could actually help US (Bama) get into a NC game down the road.

So explain why Southern Cal. and Ohio State are always rated so highly. Their respective conference are weak....

Because they are media darlings. If the SEC were a Weak conference I guarantee that a Southern Cal, Ohio State, Michigan, almost any team with a 11-1 record would go to the NC game before an SEC team with the same record. Answer me this; do you honestly think ESPN would have signed a contract that large to televise SEC games if the conference were viewed as weak?

quote:

Originally posted by Highspade:

quote:

Originally posted by In HSV:

quote:

Originally posted by Teague:
Wrong, wrong, wrong, and wrong.


You don't have to LIKE the other teams. It's just in our best interest if our conference beats up on other conferences. For example, do you think a one loss ACC team would go to the NC game over a one loss SEC team? No. Why, because they can't beat anyone outside of their conference. In fact, I'd bet a two loss SEC team would have a chance of getting the nod over a one loss ACC or big east team.

That is exactly why you should hope the SEC wins every out of conference game. And like it or not, how those SEC teams do this year affects how they're viewed next year and even the year after. So, if TN, AU, FL, etc. kick ass in OOC games THIS year, it could actually help US (Bama) get into a NC game down the road.

So explain why Southern Cal. and Ohio State are always rated so highly. Their respective conference are weak....

Because they are media darlings. If the SEC were a Weak conference I guarantee that a Southern Cal, Ohio State, Michigan, almost any team with a 11-1 record would go to the NC game before an SEC team with the same record. Answer me this; do you honestly think ESPN would have signed a contract that large to televise SEC games if the conference were viewed as weak?

It also has to do with their historic 'power' status and they always do pretty well in recruiting. Strength of conference aside they win their conferences usually, beat their rivals and have good ratings. Those aspects help a lot.

I think this really started hardcore when Auburn went undefeated and shutout of a title shot. We've just grown tired of certain parts of the country getting higher rankings due to the number of voters in that geographic area.

I usually pull for the SEC except for Auburn if for nothing else to help out our strength of schedule if we are lucky enough to factor into the bcs at some point.

Additionally, the success of the SEC puts more money into SEC schools and we all like to take pride in our academic institutions.

And finally you have the civil war angle. Southerners have pride no matter their color due to stereotyping and it's natural that we want our region of the country to do well.

I don't get the SEC pride either. I want all of our opponents to win every game except for when they play us. But some teams like the barn and ucheat I want to lose every game because I hate their fans and their programs.

And I was cheering for UCLA too, mainly because I want any team with orange to fail.

You do have a good point with the money and recognition. How many billions did we just get from ESPN? Unreal. That will help us pay Nick more and add 10,000 to our stadium.

quote:

Originally posted by Xingpao:
I think this really started hardcore when Auburn went undefeated and shutout of a title shot. We've just grown tired of certain parts of the country getting higher rankings due to the number of voters in that geographic area.

I usually pull for the SEC except for Auburn if for nothing else to help out our strength of schedule if we are lucky enough to factor into the bcs at some point.

Additionally, the success of the SEC puts more money into SEC schools and we all like to take pride in our academic institutions.

And finally you have the civil war angle. Southerners have pride no matter their color due to stereotyping and it's natural that we want our region of the country to do well.

Ditto. See my signature.

quote:

Actually it has long been a source of pride to a lot of people.


If you beat up on a conference full of panzies and nobodies...guess what will happen to you in the bowl games-you lose.

When you play tough opponents, you have a better chance of winning and thus a greater claim to something rather than pounding losers.



Some of you are completely senseless when it comes to the greater realm of strategic thought about football and the cultural meaning.


RTR

i was raised on alabama football by a great-greandfather, a grandfather, and my father---all of who went to alabama...

i was taught to respect "southern schools," most of what are now sec schools....

the old guys taught me that if your team could, not only survive, but come out ahead of/beat down a "southern schedule," that whether or not anyone else in the nation would admit it...you would earn respect...the "southern schools"...sec...have a mystic about them...no one else in the nation has the number of intense rivalries that we have...the "iron bowl" is consistantly brought up as one of the premier rivalries of all times..tennessee/alabama is usually also mentioned..

think how much more it would mean if both teams went into it undefeated..

quote:

i was raised on alabama football by a great-greandfather, a grandfather, and my father---all of who went to alabama...

i was taught to respect "southern schools," most of what are now sec schools....

the old guys taught me that if your team could, not only survive, but come out ahead of/beat down a "southern schedule," that whether or not anyone else in the nation would admit it...you would earn respect...the "southern schools"...sec...have a mystic about them...no one else in the nation has the number of intense rivalries that we have...the "iron bowl" is consistantly brought up as one of the premier rivalries of all times..tennessee/alabama is usually also mentioned..

think how much more it would mean if both teams went into it undefeated..

Exactly. These people are too stupid to understand that if you win in a GARBAGE conference NO ONE cares...see Ohio State. When you win in a TOUGH conference...it actually MATTERS.


Wake up fools!


There is a hierarchy within the realm of football with your team at the pinnacle and the conference above all others. Playing in the SEC prepares you for big games due to the high level of competition. You people are saying you want a panzy conference of nobodies and losers for Bama to pound, that is DUMB and unrealistic.


RTR