Will the SEC win its fifth straight?

Sports

September 8, 2010

Ben Whitehead and Matt Tillson The Duncan Banner The Duncan Banner Wed Sep 08, 2010, 10:32 PM CDT

DUNCAN — Too much parity on college football

No. It’s a simple answer, yet presents such a strong stance. That’s my stance on whether or not the Southeastern Conference will win another national championship this season.

The SEC enjoyed great success over the better part of last decade of college football. Florida and LSU each won two national championships and Alabama capped the decade off with its 13th in the school’s history.

I won’t sit here and tell you that the best college football teams don’t come from that conference. They have, but it’s a new decade and there’s optimism elsewhere.

Take Ohio State, for instance. The Buckeyes are poised to make a title run this season. Terrelle Pryor is one of the leading Heisman Trophy candidates and OSU returns nine out of 11 starters on one of the best defenses in the country.

Look at Boise State. Sorry OU fans, but the Broncos are really that good. In just the past two-plus seasons, they’ve beaten Oklahoma, Oregon (twice), TCU and Virginia Tech. Only one of those games was on the infamous blue turf.

I see Miami getting better, Florida State on the rise under new head coach Jimbo Fisher and of course Oklahoma and Texas staking their claim as the teams to beat in the Big 12. It also looks as if Nebraska may return to its glory years while Michigan and Notre Dame are on their way back to the top.

This doesn’t mean that Alabama, Florida, LSU and others in the SEC can’t win a national title. It just means that I don’t think it will happen this season.

The obvious favorite out of the SEC is reigning champion Alabama. It’s not a stretch to believe the Crimson Tide will be back in the BCS title game. Their schedule is somewhat favorable with the toughest road games being at Arkansas and LSU. Other road games at South Carolina and Tennessee could be a threat, but let’s face it, those two teams aren’t on Bama’s level.

Even a loss — or two, see LSU 2007 — won’t hurt the Crimson Tide. But can Alabama, with a bull’s eye on its back, go up against a much improved Ohio State, Boise State or Oklahoma team?

This guy doesn’t think so.

Other contenders in the SEC — Florida, LSU and Arkansas — just don’t have what it takes to run the table. The Gators might make it to the SEC championship game, but they’ll do so with two or more losses, and neither LSU or Arkansas will overtake the Tide in the West.

SEC teams have won four in a row and five of the last seven, but don’t count on someone making it five straight.

— Ben Whitehead is the sports editor for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 255-5354, Ext. 165, or via e-mail at ben.whitehead@duncanbanner.com.

Crimson Tide look for title No. 14

As much as it pains me to say this, after watching this past weekend’s college football games I think that the National Championship will be going to a team out of the SEC.

Alabama is a huge favorite to make it to the big game and after watching their home opener against San Jose State, I might have to agree. Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingrim and Crimson Tide defensive standout Marcell Dareus did not play during the Alabama blowout win because of injury and suspension, but that did not stop the Tide from finding the end zone.

Without two of their best players the No. 1 Crimson Tide still rolled over San Jose St, led by their quarterback Greg McElroy who completed 13-of-15 passes for 218 yards with one touchdown. Strong running from Ingrim’s backup Trent Richardson (66 yards and two touchdowns) was also a positive for the Crimson Tide offense.

With the game being such a large deficit, players like backup quarterback A.J. McCarron (9-of-15, 116 yards and a TD) and running back Eddie Lacy (111 yards and two TDs) were able to get more repetitions and exposure than expected.

The Alabama defense held San Jose St. to a meager 175 yards in 48 plays.

Yes, these numbers do not mean much against a team that finished 2-11 last season, but I believe that the Crimson Tide will be a force that will not be stopped.

Experts have slated the SEC to be one of the toughest conferences that there is, if not the toughest. With teams like No. 1 Alabama, No. 8 Florida, No. 14 Arkansas, No. 19 LSU, No. 22 Georgia and No. 24 South Carolina all picking up wins in their opening games, conference games will be games that are close and closely watched.

LSU barely pulled out the win against North Carolina, who had 13 key players missing because of suspension. Yes, North Carolina was ranked higher than LSU and UNC may evenly match up with the Tigers, but that is when they are at full strength.

Florida started its season on the right foot after Tim Tebow’s departure to the NFL, when it beat Miami (Ohio) 34-12.

The Gators had a good debut under their new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. Florida held the Redhawks to four yards rushing and the secondary snagged four interceptions.

Alabama, Florida and LSU are the three teams in the SEC that are being looked upon to win the national title and I believe each of them have a fairly good chance at it.

— Matt Tillson is a reporter for the Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354 Ext. 143 or via e-mail at matt.tillson@duncanbanner.com.

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