SEC Swagger

My second article in cooperation with Boise State media:

When someone asks about dominance in college football, one automatically thinks of programs such as the Miami 'U' of the 80s, the Nebraska of the 90s, the USC of the 00s, and, especially for us down here, the Bear Bryant era. Well, dominance has been a key part of the college football world today, but it has not been biased towards one team. In fact, it is comprised of a conference of juggernauts who, basically, have kicked butt and taken names when it comes to non-conference play. It is the SEC, and it is the crowning achievement of college football having won the past four national championships. What is the key to this success? There are many variables, but I believe one to be most significant and more idealistic.

Let's look at some facts courtesy of Pat Forde at ESPN.com.

1. Over the past four years, after four, crowned, SEC bred national championship teams, there has been another SEC team denied a chance at that championship game. For those eight teams ('08 '09 Alabama, '06 '08 '09 Florida, '07 Georgia, and '06 '07 LSU), they have been 39-1 in non-conference play. They have a combined 10 losses in conference play.

2. Teams such as Arkansas, Auburn, Kentucky, Mississippi, and South Carolina have managed to beat teams that finished in the top six since the '07 season.

3.The four top-tier title games? Not even close. The average margin of victory being 16.8 points and the closest at 10. There has not even been a second half deficit.

4. Most power ranking polls have up to seven SEC teams in the top 25. Alabama faces six of these teams.

Not impressed? Of those forty non-conference games, thirteen teams were ranked. So, over a fourth of the non-conference games were in no way cupcakes. The one loss in out of conference play was Alabama's loss to Utah in the '08 Sugar Bowl. With a decent non-conference schedule and a staggering conference schedule, the SEC (not entirely including low-tier programs such as Vanderbilt, Kentucky, etc. etc.)has developed something irreplaceable and hard to describe. It may encompass more, but I would like to call it swagger for the purpose of this article.

This swagger is not one of haughtiness but, rather, confidence. Confidence that comes from handling non-conference cupcakes that teams like Boise State include in their conference schedule resume. Also, I believe this has come about due to the mental and physical readiness and stability that these teams must bring to the table week in and week out in conference play. There is no doubt that the SEC breeds and recruits some of the best athletes in the nation, but the fire these athletes are put under does develop a mental attitude. An attitude that has carried over into the thought process that "We are the SEC. We are better than any other conference, and we will show you why." It started with that '06 Florida team and has had an avalanche effect ever since.

Now, staring down a repeat title, Alabama has obtained the same mindset. Hopefully, it will carry them through an extremely stressful year including a non-conference battle against Penn State. Other teams such as Flordia, LSU, Georgia, Arkansas, and South Carolina all have the same aspirations and exhibit the same mindset.

As for Boise State, they have a swagger of sorts, but it can be described as more of an underdog, 'we are out to prove something' attitude. It is one that should not be tampered with in its own rights, and I hope that this season may be the year where we could see the two competing mindsets battle on the field. Who knows? Just maybe, it could be settled, Alabama vs. Boise State, in Tempe, Arizona for the national championship game. One trying to maintain their beliefs and swagger, and the other trying to solidify their swagger and place among the elites of college football.