Mile High Report: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
New Blog: Sounder At Heart for Seattle Sounders Fans!

MHR Scouting - The SEC

 

Mhr_scouting_services_medium 


SEC stands for Speed Earns Championships. Actually, it stands for Southeastern Conference, but the former is just about as true. If you think I'm kidding, just ask the Ohio State Buckeyes, back-to-back national runners-up to the University of Florida Gators (2006) and Lousiana State University Tigers (2007). Though the SEC is college football's flagship conference now, it also has a storied history.

The SEC began play in 1933, founded by 13 universities that broke off from the old Southern Conference in order to shine on their own. Three original members have since left (Sewanee in 1940, Georgia Tech in 1964 and Tulane in 1966) and two others (Arkansas and South Carolina) joined for play starting in 1992. After that expansion, the conference divided its twelve teams into two divisions (Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee and Vanderbilt in the East and Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Lousiana State, Mississippi and Mississippi State in the West) with the winners of each matching-up for a championship game in Atlanta's Georgia Dome prior to the bowl season every year. This rich tradition, fueled by passionate support, leads to top-notch competition.

In the South, college football is the unofficial religion. Saturday is the true Sabbath, stadiums are their temples and sinners are separated from saints by the scoreboard and the standings. Average capacity at an SEC home stadium is 78,115 and they sell out with ease. They have TV ties to CBS on a national level and various other local channels throughout the region. There are 25 official rivalries involving SEC teams, some of which are inactive or not very competitive at the moment, but most of which are red-hot. I'll delve into them more in detail at a later date, either before the games are played or in a single, separate post prior to the start of the season. Sufficed to say for now: the SEC is home to some of the most intense rivalries in all of sports. Teams and players that make it out of this conference are among the best in the land and they often prove just that in the postseason and beyond.

SEC schools have laid claim to 24 national championships in football, including six since 1992 and three since 2003. The conference was dominated by Florida, Tennessee and Georgia in the 90's and by LSU, Florida, Georgia and Auburn so far this decade. Though the dredges have at times been among the weakest squads in the nation, the conference is typically very deep and nothing short of elite at the top. Great teams are usually lead by great players and the SEC has had no shortage of either. In 2007, for instance, four star athletes (QB Tim Tebow of Florida, RB Darren McFadden of Arkansas, OC Jonathan Luigs of Arkansas and DT Glenn Dorsey of LSU) combined to win 9 of college football's 25 prestigious individual awards; meanwhile, Dorsey and his Tigers won the conference's second consecutive national title. The SEC has also fared well at the next level, in both the NFL draft and on the playing field.

Since expanding to its current size in 1992, the SEC has had, on average, over six (6.19) players selected in the first round of 16 NFL Drafts. They've had four players chosen in the top 11 picks in three of the last four years. On the NFL's Opening Day in 2007, the SEC had more players (263) on active rosters than any other conference. The Denver Broncos currently have 19 players from the SEC on their roster, including at least 11 that will garner significant playing time in 2008 and beyond. Jason Witten (TE, Cowboys/Tennessee), Alan Faneca (OG, Steelers/LSU), Albert Haynesworth (DT, Titans/Tennessee), Patrick Willis (ILB, 49ers/Ole Miss), Fred Taylor (RB, Jaguars/Florida), Jason Peters (OT, Arkansas), DeMeco Ryans (ILB, Texans/Alabama) and our own Champ Bailey (CB, Broncos/Georgia) were former SEC standouts that were named to the NFL's 2007 All-Pro teams. Keep in mind that that list doesn't even include other stars like Chris Samuels (OT, Redskins/Alabama), Tony Ugoh (OT, Colts/Arkansas), Marcus McNeill (OT, Chargers/Auburn), Lito Shepard (CB, Eagles/Florida), Will Witherspoon (LB, Rams/Georgia), Marlon McCree (S, Broncos/Kentucky), Jospeh Addai (RB, Colts/LSU), Eli Manning (QB, Giants/Ole Miss), Eric Moulds (WR, Titans/Mississippi State), John Abraham (DE, South Carolina), Peyton Manning (QB, Colts/Tennessee) and our own Jay Cutler (QB, Broncos/Vanderbilt), as well as dozens of others who played their college ball in the SEC.

I have been a fan of the Florida Gators, and by extension SEC football, since the 1994 season or so. It will be my pleasure to share my knowledge of this college football conference with you all in 2008 and perhaps even beyond. Moreover, I am currently a sophomore at the University of Florida, so I may even be able to scout some of the Gators games in person as well. I will analyze the SEC's games, stats and highlights, in order to uncover potential future Broncos in the making. Hopefully you will find this interesting and entertaining, because it will certainly be that for me. Welcome to the SEC, my friends: this is college football. Cheers!

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

2 recs  |  Comment 14 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Top Notch Write up

HERE WE GO! I think we are going to get some folks into college ball

Davis to the Hall!

by Jon Tollerud on May 10, 2008 6:44 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Thanks Man!

I do what I can, I do what I can. ;) I hope we do just that, because college football is quite awesome. This project will also help to make the all-important NFL Draft a little less alien for those interested, so that’s cool, too.

Please check out my blog at http://thefulldeck.blogspot.com/ , now redesigned and recommited!

by ejruiz on May 13, 2008 10:52 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

How do student tickets work at Florida?

I’m a student at North Carolina State, and I generally don’t have much trouble getting tickets to the games. We also have never won a national championship in football, though (we do have 2 in mens basketball, and several in other sports).

by hai17 on May 10, 2008 10:06 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Lottery.

Even though The Swamp holds over 84,000 people, they could easily field a crowd twice as large if they wanted to. Student season tix cost $70-$80 (depending on how many home games there are that particular year) for those who win the lottery. I believe upperclassmen have better odds, but plenty of frosh and sophs get them. I’m hoping for mine!

Please check out my blog at http://thefulldeck.blogspot.com/ , now redesigned and recommited!

by ejruiz on May 13, 2008 10:55 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wow

That’s the one thing State does right – they give out free tickets, and they do it on a game by game basis. I guess when you have so much demand you have to find ways to thin out some of the applicants.

Good luck in the lottery!

by hai17 on May 13, 2008 1:30 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Great post EJ

A thorough and interesting overwiew of the strongest conference in D-1. Not to kick up any dust, but Go Dawgs! It should be a fun season down south.

"The angel is no more than the shark well-governed." -Herman Melville

by jadunn on May 11, 2008 9:05 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

No Worries.

UGA is stacked this season, but my Gators ain’t too shabby. That rivalry is always fun, but since you guys decided to show up last season, we’ll be looking to get you back this time around.

Please check out my blog at http://thefulldeck.blogspot.com/ , now redesigned and recommited!

by ejruiz on May 13, 2008 10:56 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Here's

the link for the banner logo:

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/4813/MHR_Scouting_Services.jpg

Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.

by Jeremy Bolander on May 11, 2008 9:30 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Thanks!

I imagine you put that into my point and it looks much nicer now! Thanks, man.

Please check out my blog at http://thefulldeck.blogspot.com/ , now redesigned and recommited!

by ejruiz on May 13, 2008 11:03 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Great post

You can only really get an appreciation for the quality of the SEC, when you watch an SEC team dismantle a quality team from another league. In this league, the 7th best program (Arkansas) was a desirable enough job to get Bobby Petrino to leave the NFL for it. Florida, LSU, Alabama, Tennesee, Georgia, and Auburn are all top 15 programs in the NCAA. This is a brutal league, but it’s the best feeder system to the pro ranks.

"I wouldn't ever set out to hurt anyone deliberately unless it was, you know, important --like a league game or something." DICK BUTKUS

by Ted Bartlett on May 12, 2008 9:54 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

I wouldnt speak the name Peterno too loud

he is everything most people despise as a coach-dis loyal!

Davis to the Hall!

by Jon Tollerud on May 12, 2008 10:22 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah.

The fact that the Buckeyes were twice favored over SEC teams in national championship games only to get blown out both times is pretty telling. When you make it out of this conference, you’re on another level.

Please check out my blog at http://thefulldeck.blogspot.com/ , now redesigned and recommited!

by ejruiz on May 13, 2008 10:59 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Petrino is a scumbag...

But he is a guy who took a nothing porogram at Louisville, and turned it into a big winner. The Arkansas job, relative to the league it’s in, is analagous to the jobs at Oregon State, Virginia, Iowa State, or Michigan State. The difference is, Arkansas is typically an SEC also-ran, but has the potential to be nationally competitive sometimes.

"I wouldn't ever set out to hurt anyone deliberately unless it was, you know, important --like a league game or something." DICK BUTKUS

by Ted Bartlett on May 13, 2008 6:07 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

SEC Coaches

There are coaches with national titles under their belts at more SEC schools than any other conference, I believe. I can think of Meyer, Miles, Saban and Spurrier off the top of my head, but I may be missing someone.

Please check out my blog at http://thefulldeck.blogspot.com/ , now redesigned and recommited!

by ejruiz on May 13, 2008 11:02 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

MileHighReport(MHR) is the ultimate independent resource for the Denver Broncos on the web. Along with MHR Radio, the official podcast of MHR, we look to provide hardcore Denver Broncos fans positive, independent insight about the Broncos, 24/7/365!
Start posting about the Broncos »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Hillis_small
When Things Don't Make Sense
800px-john_brown_painting_small
Out of hiding: Mdierk's take on the season
Kirk_and_allie_small
UPON FURTHER REVIEW - Scouting The Steelers
Hillis_small
The Weekly "I'm Tired..." Rant
Cutlerjersey_small
The Broncos Success - Is it Orton or McDaniels?

Recent FanPosts

Bronco_small
Chalk up 2 more NFC East Very winable games
Eddie-royal_small
Monday Night No-Huddle
Bronco-pride_small
Ranging Quarterbacks, A Comparison
Denver_broncos_small
Jack Williams... My opinion
Broncos-1024x768_small
Holic's Week 9 Predictions...
Turtle2_small
RiG's week 9 picks ATS
Walter_small
THE LEGENDARY SECONDARY
Hillis_small
Is There Value in Losing?
Luff3_small
More Simmons Love...

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Latest NFL Headlines from SB Nation

Turf Show Times
Random Ramsdom: Nov 9th, 2009
Behind the Steel Curtain
BTSC Weekly NFL Musings - Week 9 Edition
Blogging The Boys
Understudy Sunday: the Cowboys Outslug the Eagles 20-16

Getting Social With MHR

Facebook_badge_medium_medium
Black_generated_button

Milehighreport_email_medium

MHR Radio

SPONSORS

Web Stuff


iPing-it!

Listed on BlogShares

Sports blogs Sports Blogs
Top NFL Fan Sites
Best Football Sites

Rate Me on BlogHop.com!
the best pretty good okay pretty bad the worst

Top Blogs
Sports Blogs




General Manager/Head Coach

Milehighreport_small John Bena

Aristotle_small Jeremy Bolander

Asst. Head Coach

Mhr_small Steve Nichols

Tahoetim_small Tim Lynch

J_elway_870111_640_small Douglas A. Lee

Plato_bust_small Emmett Smith

Denver-broncos-button_small Ted Bartlett

The-big-lebowski_small TJ Johnson

Quality Control

800px-john_brown_painting_small mdierk