2008 SEC Discussion

[jwinslow]

No wonder Florida avoids leaving their region... edit: probably a bit unfair, should say it's easy to see why so many SEC teams try to avoid leaving the south.

Most Recent OOC Games outside SEC Region, by team

8-21 overall

Florida
1991 - L - Syracuse - 21-38 (SEC champs)

Georgia
1966 - W - VMI - 43-7

Kentucky
2005 - L - Indiana - 14-38 (IU went 4-7 in 05)
2003 - W - Indiana - 34-17 (IU went 2-10 in 03)
2001 - L - Indiana - 15-26 (IU went 5-6 in 01)

Vanderbilt
2008 - W - Miami OH - 34-13 (2-10 in 08, 6-7 in 07)
2007 - L - Michigan - 7-27.............. (10-2)
2006 - W - Wake Forest - 20-24...... (4-7)

South Carolina
2008 - W - NC State - 34-0..... (6-6)
2002 - L - Virginia - 21-34...... (9-5)
1999 - L - NC State - 0-10...... (6-6)

Tennessee
2008 - L - UCLA - 24-27........... (4-8) ... to a team's 3rd string QB, who threw 4 INTs
2007 - L - California - 31-45...... (7-6)
2005 - L - Notre Dame - 21-41... (9-3)

Alabama
2002 - L - Oklahoma - 27-37.....
2000 - L - UCLA - 24-35...........

Arkansas
2005 - L - USC - 17-70............
2003 - W - Texas - 38-28.........

Auburn
2002 - L - USC - 17-24............
2001 - L - Syracuse - 14-31.....

LSU
2005 - W - Arizona State - 35-21... (late comeback vs 7-5 team)
2003 - W - Arizona - 59-13...........
2002 - L - Virginia Tech - 8-26.......

Ole Miss
2006 - L - Missouri - 7-34.............
2005 - L - Wyoming - 32-37..........
2002 - L - Texas Tech - 28-42......

Mississippi State
2008 - L - Louisiana Tech - 14-22..... (La Tech was 5-7 last year)
2003 - L - Houston - 35-42..............
2002 - L - Oregon - 13-36................

 

[Gatorubet]

Actually, our athletic admin prefer making millions at home games. Lack of out of region games has not hurt our national standings, reputation wise (BP excluded of course ). When we sink low enough that we have to prop up our national rep by playing out of region OOC games more, then we will.

Our SOS the last decade or so is such that we do not have to apologize for anything right now. This could change though. It is hard to maintain consistency in a program. I admire than above all things tOSU represents.

 

[jwinslow]

That's a cute way of dodging the subject matter. I realize the SEC doesn't have to prove much of anything these days, they have quite a cozy arrangement going. Stay near home where it's familiar, avoid the long-distance pitfalls. Win the SEC and being decked in glorious praise, or lose and simply bolster the reputation of the SEC.

I'm merely pointing out a pretty interesting trend. SEC fans seem to love them when it comes to OSU, so I thought I'd return the favor.

Actually, our athletic admin prefer making millions at home games.

I realize Bowden's franchise is in serious decline, but I doubt they've forked over the millions and right to call that place home yet.

Plenty of SEC teams play at Clemson and GT, and miss big payouts. Well financially, anyway.

 

[Magua]

*scratches eyes*

Has Georgia really not played out of the SE OOC in the season since 1966? And Florida since 91?

That can't be right, can it?

Also, didn't UT lose to Notre Dame a few years back at Notre Dame?

 

[jwinslow]

Someone can double check my numbers, it was late. I added the ND game.

 

[Dryden]

Yes, it is true that Georgia has not left the south since 1966 or whatever it is. However, they will finally break that stretch by playing at Arizona State this year in Week 4.

 

[Magua]

I guess you could also look at it this way.

Imagine how much gas/money Georgia has saved in never traveling outside the South over the years.

Figure the average team would have left the south 10 times in 40 years...with today's economy the travel costs would be ridiculous. Factor in that those 10 OOC Away games were just 10 cupcakes at home and they probably turned a pretty good profit there.

I'd still take the bigtime events like OSU/Texas and OSU/Southern Cal than what Georgia has fuckin been doing though.

 

[Buckeneye]

Yes, it is true that Georgia has not left the south since 1966 or whatever it is. However, they will finally break that stretch by playing at Arizona State this year in Week 4.

gee golly whiz Mr. Wilson, and after only 42 years.... I mean, that didnt take long did it?

 

[Dryden]

One of the situations you have with the SEC teams, however, is that most have annual rivalries vs another BCS conference team, usually an ACC squad (for whatever that's worth these days).

Florida is usually playing Florida St, or Miami, or both. Georgia plays Georgia Tech every year. South Carolina plays Clemson every year. Kentucky plays Louisville every year. Arkansas has their on-again/off-again series with Texas. etc ...

The SEC teams that can schedule the major pre-season OOC games (Tennessee, Auburn) are at least usually doing it. Although, given the smack-down Arkansas got (twice) from Southern Cal for the two-year filler, I'm thinking they'd rather extend the deal long-term with Texas, who they can actually beat.

 

[MD Buckeye]

ESPN - Spurrier chooses Smelley to start at QB for SEC opener - College Football

Spurrier chooses Smelley to start at QB for SEC opener

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Chris Smelley will start at quarterback for South Carolina against Vanderbilt on Thursday night.

Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier said he made the decision after starter Tommy Beecher could not practice Monday because he couldn't lift his non-throwing shoulder. He said Smelley probably deserves to start even if Beecher was not injured.

Beecher threw four interceptions in his first career start last week against North Carolina State. The junior came out before the fourth quarter because he was hurt.

Smelley then completed all five of his passes and led the Gamecocks on three scoring drives. Stephen Garcia will probably be Smelley's backup unless Beecher's shoulder improves.

 

[BB73]

One of the situations you have with the SEC teams, however, is that most have annual rivalries vs another BCS conference team, usually an ACC squad (for whatever that's worth these days).

Florida is usually playing Florida St, or Miami, or both. Georgia plays Georgia Tech every year. South Carolina plays Clemson every year. Kentucky plays Louisville every year. Arkansas has their on-again/off-again series with Texas. etc ...

The SEC teams that can schedule the major pre-season OOC games (Tennessee, Auburn) are at least usually doing it. Although, given the smack-down Arkansas got (twice) from Southern Cal for the two-year filler, I'm thinking they'd rather extend the deal long-term with Texas, who they can actually beat.

This year is only the third regular season matchup of Florida-Miami since '87, and Urban Meyer just recently stated that he doesn't want to play them. I'll give them credit for playing FSU every year, but the perception that they also often schedule Miami isn't accurate.

 

[Gatorubet]

That's a cute way of dodging the subject matter. I realize the SEC doesn't have to prove much of anything these days, they have quite a cozy arrangement going. Stay near home where it's familiar, avoid the long-distance pitfalls. Win the SEC and being decked in glorious praise, or lose and simply bolster the reputation of the SEC.

I wasn't dodging. I was 'splaining.

Other than placating Buckeye fans - an otherwise noble effort - why would we do it??? :tongue2: We have to split the gate with UGA in Jax every year, and a good program would require home and homes. We might make a decision that you don't like, but it is not like we were in the ACC and needed an ooc to get some rep. As to win the SEC and wallow in praise, the vailidty of the conclusion does not matter as much as the perception. Since we can get away with it, why would we want to lose money and risk a season when we did not have to? I call it pragmatic. And as FSU has historically been a BCS team, it was just not needed.

I'm merely pointing out a pretty interesting trend. SEC fans seem to love them when it comes to OSU, so I thought I'd return the favor.
I realize Bowden's franchise is in serious decline, but I doubt they've forked over the millions and right to call that place home yet.

Plenty of SEC teams play at Clemson and GT, and miss big payouts. Well financially, anyway.

Yes they do...but they do not also have an annual with FSU.

 

[jwinslow]

Honestly, that list of stats gets to my major beef... how most of the SEC looks when they can't ride the coattails of LSU/UF/etc. I probably should not have singled out Florida, as they are not the worst offender playing teams that should be tough at times. There is no question how much top-end play comes out of that conference every year. LSU & UF would hold their own if they started playing in detroit or california instead of the sec.

But the depth suddenly loses its luster when the rest of the league (Tenn, Auburn, etc) start leaving the comforts of home. Given Georgia's inability to avoid pitfalls every year, I have a hard time believing they'd navigate those kinds of matchups consistently (and no, Arizona State doesn't really count as a truly difficult OOC matchup. They're Clemson in different colors, no OL).

As to win the SEC and wallow in praise, the vailidty of the conclusion does not matter as much as the perception.

agreed

Since we can get away with it, why would we want to lose money and risk a season when we did not have to? I call it pragmatic.

I don't blame you, but I can still call it out.

 

[MD Buckeye]

ESPN - Todd moved into starter's role at QB for No. 9 Auburn - College Football

Todd moved into starter's role at QB for No. 9 Auburn

AUBURN, Ala. -- Chris Todd will start at quarterback for No. 9 Auburn on Saturday against Southern Mississippi.

Tigers coach Tommy Tuberville said Tuesday that he had planned to start Todd even before Kodi Burns was injured in the opener.

Burns, who started Auburn's 34-0 win over Louisiana-Monroe, was cut on his left leg in the third quarter. He practiced Tuesday on a limited basis and Tuberville said Burns wouldn't play unless he's fully recovered.

Contd....

 

[Dryden]

Pro-SEC writer thinks the SEC needs to do more playing and less talking ...

SEC should avoid opening football season with road games - al.com

SEC should avoid opening football season with road games
Wednesday, September 03, 2008

...

Besides losing a payday, leaving home means this harsh reality for the SEC: It's pretty mediocre on the road. Since 1998, the SEC is 40-39 in nonconference road games. That mark drops to 24-31 at schools from BCS conferences.

The Pac-10, which SEC fans conveniently shoo aside, is now 10-6 this decade against the SEC. Whereas the SEC is 1-6 at Pac-10 schools, the Pac-10 has gone 4-5 at SEC stadiums.

Cont'd ...