tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990917746447852116.post2961565197282057252..comments2023-09-27T02:30:06.543-07:00Comments on Hoov's First Amendment: SEC Dominance? Let's Start--And End--With Nick SabanGreg Hooverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268286257051964998noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990917746447852116.post-53274557934657667822013-01-10T04:39:51.099-08:002013-01-10T04:39:51.099-08:00Personally, I'd like to see him in Kansas City...Personally, I'd like to see him in Kansas City... ;-)Greg Hooverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00268286257051964998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990917746447852116.post-59236118483988608462013-01-09T19:49:58.344-08:002013-01-09T19:49:58.344-08:00Hoov,
Agree that conferences and teams in all spor...Hoov,<br />Agree that conferences and teams in all sports come and go, that is life. When I moved to TN almost 25 years ago, I went to work with a Hog fan and several UT Orange fans. Back then, all I knew was the Big Ten. I think we both agree that coaching definitely makes the difference. Look what happened to the Hogs this year. They were on the vurge of being a highly competitive team and one motor cycle wreck finished that one! I understanding the frustration of rude fans...I used to feel the same way about IU. :-) At this point in time, the SEC is very dominate in the football arena. I hate to see SEC teams penalized for being in a strong conference, but it happens because someone has to lose the game and ratings are driven mostly by record with limited consideration of strength of schedule. Georgia was HOT at the end of the year and honestly, if Georgia had another minute on the clock, I think they would have been playing ND instead of Bama. I am proud that ND did so well this year. Hopefully they are on their way back to being a powerhouse. I think we can both agree that Alabama could use some good competition...preferrably from OUTSIDE of the SEC! Saban obviously knows how to recruit and motivate. That I hope we can agree on! Happy New Year! And Roll Tide! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08021073098046692765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990917746447852116.post-31009076429474062772013-01-09T04:42:31.951-08:002013-01-09T04:42:31.951-08:00It's interesting that you take my column as an...It's interesting that you take my column as an ND defense--it's not. Would they have been undefeated in the SEC, doubtful...no one was. But they'd have fared much better than you give them credit. They proved they can't be Bama--although I do think there were at least two and maybe three significantly bad calls early that hurt them. But they had a freshmen QB and were playing against one the best coached and best seasoned team in the country. The only other team in the SEC that I question the outcome against ND is A&M. The others would have been close and good games, but they found a way to beat very good teams all year long. <br /><br />And I am also not saying there aren't good teams in the SEC; clearly there are. But it's not the be all end all, and rather than a Tennessee or Kentucky fan yapping at me about how great their conference is, my point is that one guy pretty much started and has carried that trend--and when he's gone, it will go back to being a mega conference with a good team or two every year. I also don't want to hear the 6-3 in bowl games argument...just because anybody who's 6-6 gets to fill one of the myriad slots doesn't mean your conference is awesome. Miss State beating Pitt is a record stacker, I don't care what anyone says.<br /><br />Conferences come and go and have periods in all sports; and the SEC's current streak in football is unprecedented and amazing. As I've said numerous times I was actually enjoying it until fans started talking like they should just make a seperate division for everyone else. My point is very simple: the credit for the rise of the SEC is due to Nick Saban; and in this case, a rising (rolling?) Tide raises all boats. Greg Hooverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00268286257051964998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990917746447852116.post-23653164140413051302013-01-08T18:09:30.176-08:002013-01-08T18:09:30.176-08:00Hoov,
Though most of us Bama fans consider Saban a...Hoov,<br />Though most of us Bama fans consider Saban a saint, I tend to believe that there is no way ND would have ever been undefeated if they were in the SEC. As you know, ND was nearly beaten by Purdue & Pitt (who's coaches blew those games!) and Stanford (questionable call sent the game into OT). SOme people questioned if Bama should have even been in the National Champ game since Ohio State was also undefeated. Come on, what about strength of schedule? Last nights game left ND looking like they had no idea what hit them. We SEC fans knew that the REAL National Champ game was the SEC Champ game...now that was a battle down to the wire! But then again, most SEC fans would have ranked Georgia and Texas A&M above Florida. Florida looked poopy most of the year...like ND, they were luckier than good with similar outcome in the bowl game. You can say that Georgia and Texas A&M squeezed by in the bowl game, but they both won big in Q4. LSU got beat on the last play of the game by Clemson (very respectful team) due to another stupid Les Miles coaching decision to throw the ball verses burn clock on his last possession. DOn't get me wrong, the SEC has weak teams just like every other conference. As a side note, I am glad that Urban Meyer is now in the BIG TEN. My guess is that Ohio State will dominate that conference and as you have pointed out...he too is a very good coach! Too bad he didn't go to the Boilers! :-) <br /> <br /><br /> Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08021073098046692765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990917746447852116.post-18185490516966875212013-01-08T16:05:47.852-08:002013-01-08T16:05:47.852-08:00Yes, over the past eight years Saban is responsibl...Yes, over the past eight years Saban is responsible for a huge amount of the SEC's dominance. But as far as the past two national championships, I think you are placing too little emphasis on the fact that A.J. McCarron is Episcopalian.J. Ronald Newlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11230263507068250893noreply@blogger.com