Best conference (Merged All)

[Volmania]

One of the strangest statistics, to me anyways, is that the SEC fields at least 1, sometimes 2, and so far this year 3 top 5 teams as far as recruits are concerned annually.

But, according to this link, they're unable to stick a team in the top 5 of NFL draft picks taken: http://drafthistory.com/n_college/college_n.html

I don't know over how long of a time these draft statisitcs cover, but a better indication of the quality of a team's (or conference's) players is probably how many actually play in the NFL, not how many were drafted due to inflated stats only to be later cut when they didn't measure up.

Five of the Top Ten teams at actually putting players on NFL rosters are SEC teams which is more in line with the annual team recruiting results.

1. Florida State
2. Florida (SEC)
3. Georgia (SEC)
4. Tennessee (SEC)
5. Ohio State
6. Michigan
7. Miami Hurricanes
8. Auburn (SEC)
9. LSU (SEC)
10. North Carolina

http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/retro-collegefootball0608.html

 

[Saw31]

Florida State #1? That surprises me...

 

[23Skidoo]

I don't know over how long of a time these draft statisitcs cover, but a better indication of the quality of a team's (or conference players) is probably how many actually play in the NFL, not how many were drafted due to inflated stats only to be later cut when they didn't measure up.

Five of the Top Ten teams at actually putting players on NFL roster's are SEC teams which is more in line with the annual team recruiting results.

1. Florida State
2. Florida (SEC)
3. Georgia (SEC)
4. Tennessee (SEC)
5. Ohio State
6. Michigan
7. Miami Hurricanes
8. Auburn Tigers (SEC)
9. LSU (SEC)
10. North Carolina

http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/retro-collegefootball0608.html

That ranking doesn't show the # of NFL players on rosters. It's an estimation of "draft worth" from certain teams based on a subjective review of the top players and top busts. There are far many more "standout players" than the ones listed for Ohio State... but whatever.
Using ESPN's player database I counted 37 NFL players from Florida and 43 from Ohio State. But I'm not in the mood to count all of them and find out the real numbers... so your premise could still be correct, but your present data isn't backing it up.

 

[osugrad21]

However, I would like to commend VolMania for presenting a decent argument without the recent flaming..

Good to see...

Welcome to BP.

 

[WoodyWorshiper]

I'll admit that I haven't really read through this thread, but I'm not sure that # of players in the NFL really represents the topic of this thread which is "Best Conference." I'm not going to make a case for anyone's except ours. Over the past 5 years, I'd have to think that most observors nationwide would say that TOSU has been one of the, if not THE top program, in the country. Two BCS Championship game's, winning one. Two other BSC Bowl wins. Yet, over that period of time only ONE outright Big Ten Championship. Not sure about all the other guys in the country, but it seems to me that the Big Ten must be doing something right.

 

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

I'll admit that I haven't really read through this thread, but I'm not sure that # of players in the NFL really represents the topic of this thread which is "Best Conference." I'm not going to make a case for anyone's except ours. Over the past 5 years, I'd have to think that most observors nationwide would say that TOSU has been one of the, if not THE top program, in the country. Two BCS Championship game's, winning one. Two other BSC Bowl wins. Yet, over that period of time only ONE outright Big Ten Championship. Not sure about all the other guys in the country, but it seems to me that the Big Ten must be doing something right.

I could be wrong, but it would seem to me that the general idea is that the SEC or the Big 10 is 1 and the other two, top to bottom... I think there are those :cough:thomps:cough: who'd argue the Pac 10, but again, top to bottom, I'd say over the last... what.. probably 20 or more years, it's been either 1 Big Ten 2 SEC or 1 SEC 2 Big Ten. (Admittedly, there have been "down years" for both conferences in that 20 year period.. I'm talking generally)

 

[WoodyWorshiper]

I think You're about right on BKB, it's basically take your pick of what you like. Big Ten fans watch Boxing in the summer Olympics, SEC fans watch Track.

 

[kn1f3party]

My problem with all of this is there really is no evidence for SEC strength year in and year out other than rankings. Sure, this year they beat us up pretty good in the National Championship but the Big 10 took 2 of 3 on them. I'm tired of the arguments about speed, those of us that care look at 40 times and 4.3 in Ohio and 4.3 in Florida are the same thing. First we should probably look at who perpetuates these myths. What reasoning would ESPN have to continue hailing the SEC even though LSU has been the only team to consistently stay in the top 10 for the past 5 years? In 2002 they didn't even field a top 10 team.

 

[Steve19]

My problem with all of this is there really is no evidence for SEC strength year in and year out other than rankings. Sure, this year they beat us up pretty good in the National Championship but the Big 10 took 2 of 3 on them. I'm tired of the arguments about speed, those of us that care look at 40 times and 4.3 in Ohio and 4.3 in Florida are the same thing. First we should probably look at who perpetuates these myths. What reasoning would ESPN have to continue hailing the SEC even though LSU has been the only team to consistently stay in the top 10 for the past 5 years? In 2002 they didn't even field a top 10 team.

These things vary from year to year in cycles. Right now, I think the SEC was the best conference in 2006, even if we did take two of three. Our bottom order was weak this year and we had a Notre Dame kinda SOS for a lot of our teams (big names having off years), including us.

As for Southern speed, if you look at the Florida line versus our line, either offense or defense, they looked pretty quick to me. I'm willing to bet our line is working on its speed for next year already.

All I know is that year in and year out, the Big Ten is among the best and there is no objective evidence to prove otherwise.

 

[dingyibvs]

I'll admit that I haven't really read through this thread, but I'm not sure that # of players in the NFL really represents the topic of this thread which is "Best Conference." I'm not going to make a case for anyone's except ours. Over the past 5 years, I'd have to think that most observors nationwide would say that TOSU has been one of the, if not THE top program, in the country. Two BCS Championship game's, winning one. Two other BSC Bowl wins. Yet, over that period of time only ONE outright Big Ten Championship. Not sure about all the other guys in the country, but it seems to me that the Big Ten must be doing something right.

That's very misleading because B10 doesn't have an outright champion every year. If the SEC didn't have a championship game then it would've been very hard to win all those big games AND win the conference outright every year as well. For example, this year, UF would've won the NC without winning the conference outright since both UF and Arky had a 7-1 SEC record.

As for the southern speed thing, I think Zook said it the best when he was asked about the difference between the SEC and the Big 10. He simply said that in the SEC, there are more big guys who can run, and I think it's very true. Every conference have their share of speedsters are the skill positions, but the SEC has many more BIG guys, that is, mostly linemen, especially defensive linemen, who can run. I think that showed pretty well in the NC game.


BTW, what happened to all my points? I bet every single point on Florida and should've had it doubled :)

 

[Fishhead]

That's very misleading because B10 doesn't have an outright champion every year. If the SEC didn't have a championship game then it would've been very hard to win all those big games AND win the conference outright every year as well. For example, this year, UF would've won the NC without winning the conference outright since both UF and Arky had a 7-1 SEC record.

As for the southern speed thing, I think Zook said it the best when he was asked about the difference between the SEC and the Big 10. He simply said that in the SEC, there are more big guys who can run, and I think it's very true. Every conference have their share of speedsters are the skill positions, but the SEC has many more BIG guys, that is, mostly linemen, especially defensive linemen, who can run. I think that showed pretty well in the NC game.


:)

Excellent point. Everyone assumes when they hear of SEC speed that it's WR's and DB's. Well, every team has fast WR's and DB's. But, as you mentioned, evident in the BCSNC, teams aren't prepared for the guys wearing 90's on their jerseys running down the guys wearing 1-30 on their jersey. Speed kills when it's at the DL and LB positions.

 

[Jaxbuck]

For anyone using head to head Bowl games as a measuring stick I'd put this out there. Double check me but I think its all correct.(sorry if already posted, too lazy to read whole thread)

B10 vs SEC head to head in Bowl Games since 2000(by season not year played)

2006: 2-1
2005: 1-1
2004: 2-1
2003: 1-2
2002: 2-1
2001: 0-3
2000: 1-1

9-10 overall
3 winning season-2 losing seasons-2 ties

About what you'd expect from two conferences that are pretty even year in and year aout. Hardly any indications of domination from either side.