Don't Blame the SEC for Six Straight

Last football season was full of controversies, but of these controversies, one reigned supreme.

Greater than the Penn State child abuse scandals, the shifting tectonic plates of conferences or the lack of a clutch place kicker, the debate over a playoff system was king.

The Pac-12, the Big-12 and multitudes of fans across the nation cried foul over the all-SEC Championship game. In their eyes, having a plus-one playoff system (which would have added Oklahoma State and Stanford) would have been fair. However, those fans do not have to look too far to find that karma is a cruel mistress.

In 2004, three teams remained undefeated at the end of the season. No. one USC, no. 2 Oklahoma and no. 3 Auburn; all were poised to have a shot at the national championship game. In the final BCS standings, Auburn was left out. Many believe because of an unimpressive 21-13 showing against an unranked Alabama squad.

The same cries heard now from Big-12 and Pac-12 fans were heard from the SEC in 2004, with the exception of most Alabama fans. SEC Commissioner Mike Slive heard the cries and wrote a proposition for a plus-one playoff system, which would use the titles of the already in place BCS bowl games.

In 2008, Slive pitched his proposition to the other conference commissioners. He scheduled a meeting where they would go over the proposition and discuss its feasibility. Out of all of the conferences, only the ACC would attend.

From a December 2011 Yahoo! Sports article by Dan Wetzel, Slive is quoted as saying, “I remember it being a lonely meeting. That’s all I want to say about it.”

Later in the article, Slive was asked if the SEC should be blamed for their sixth consecutive title. With a smile, Slive responded, “That’s for you to conclude. That’s not me saying it.”

Other conference commissioners were afraid of the ramifications of a plus-one format at the time. More teams included in the championship hunt could mean less success for their respective conferences to win the championship.

Instead, they were dealt a far worse hand. After 2009, the fourth consecutive national championship win from the SEC, the computers and the voters had a realization.

The national perspective changed because of back-to-back years of an SEC Championship game between Alabama and Florida, which led to a play-in for the national championship. That fact, paired with recruiting classes and a heightened perspective of SEC football compared to other conferences, has brought about all other conferences worst nightmare – two teams from the same conference and the same division playing for the national championship.

With the dominance of the SEC, other conferences not only have to compete with the SEC’s top team but also its next best one-loss team for a spot in the national championship game.

While the conference commissioners were afraid of a loss of power in 2008, they have attained their fears by declining to even discuss the plus-one system. Those in power do not want to lose power.

However, Mike Slive is an exception. He is openly continuing the push for a plus-one playoff system. He believes that it will benefit the SEC in many ways.

His philosophy is that more SEC teams will be given the chance to compete for the title. He is right. Since the reign of the SEC, there would have been three years (2006, 2008, 2011) where multiple SEC teams would have competed for the title.

The SEC is not to blame for the dictatorship they now hold over the NCAA and the BCS. The respective conference commissioners elected the SEC into power, and if the plus-one system becomes active or not, the SEC still has the most to gain.

The Crimson Tide and the Art of Redemption

To current students at the Capstone, the description of Alabama football dominance is epitomized through the Alabama Traditions video. As the video flashes clips of college football greatness paired with such words as “dominance,” “grit” and “heart,” one scene in particular speaks to the Alabama Crimson Tide of our generation.

The scene: Rolando McClain’s open field tackle of Florida’s Tim Tebow in the 2009 Southeastern Conference championship game. The word: Redemption.

The Crimson Tide has flourished from the spoils of redemption, whether hard- earned, like their return to the ’09 SEC Championship, or hard-earned but amid controversy, like this tumultuous football season.

Whatever the path, the Alabama Crimson Tide has owned up to their mistakes and set out to right their wrongs. However, unlike the ’09 season, the Tide needed some help from around the nation.

It came. As Oklahoma State, Oregon, Stanford and Boise State fell – ironically, in most cases, on the legs of the kicking game – Alabama began their climb, and fate placed the Tide into the championship game.

With over a month to prepare, redemption was the goal. Nick Saban, then 2-3 against Les Miles, could not withstand another loss. At the time, Saban was 6-1 in “revenge” games at Alabama, the only loss being the Nov. 5 showing against LSU. Another loss to Miles could symbolize that Miles had Saban’s number.

The team could not afford a second loss to LSU in one season. In a season filled with BCS controversy, another loss would humiliate the Tide in the eyes of an already SEC-sickened country. Another loss would only raise the battle cries of the “belittled” Big-12 and Pac-12 teams and fans.

As Trent Richardson burst to the outside and down the sideline for the first touchdown from either team in a combined 90+ minutes of play, redemption was obvious.

Redemption was obvious on the foot of Jeremy Shelley, who tied the bowl record of five field goals in a game and was four inches low on the blocked kick and one foot right from being a perfect seven for seven.

Redemption was obvious through the play calling of exiting offensive coordinator Jim McElwain and the playmaking of a maturing AJ McCarron. The play action rollouts were effective in exposing LSU’s overload of the box, and McElwain and McCarron toyed with Heisman finalist Tyrann Mathieu in his weakest area, coverage.

Redemption was obvious through the play of the young Tide receivers who stepped in to fill the shoes of Marquis Maze. It was obvious through the play of the defense, especially through the pass rush and containment of Jordan Jefferson and the option. Jefferson’s impact in the original matchup was the key to LSU’s success. Given the history of backup/once-starter Jarrett Lee against Alabama, stopping Jefferson was key to Alabama’s success.

Alabama proved they are the best team in the nation. Until the BCS format is altered, it does not matter that they were not conference or even divisional champions. They were redeemed within the BCS system, and to everyone outside of the states of Oregon, Oklahoma and the village of Auburn, they are the champions.

Moving forward, the Crimson Tide has their work cut out for them. Much like the 2010 season, inexperience on defense will be the biggest hurdle for the Tide. LSU will return with the hype of a much better team, and the country will place a target on the Tide’s back to help prevent another SEC national championship.

Hopefully, the Crimson Tide will move past the redemption complex and move on to relishing and maintaining the college football peak in the years to come.

However, come September 8, I hope to see a somewhat-altered Alabama Traditions video half an hour before kickoff. As the clips progress, I want to see the gang-tackling of a helpless Tyrann Mathieu on punt return, with the subtitle “Redemption.”

The Male Gender and Fantasy Football

The average male goes through his daily life juggling many relationships. There are the relationships with friends. There are professional and family relationships. There are relationships with significant others that enter and leave life. This should be the most complicated of the relationships, as feelings, actions and other variables constantly provide more explosions than a Michael Bay film and more drama than a weekly episode of One Tree Hill.

However, ladies, you are not the most complicated relationship in an average male’s life.
That honor resides with Fantasy Football.

Fantasy Football, since its origin, has successfully pulled at the heartstrings of men at a rate unattainable to women. It has provided a brotherhood – although only through stalking certain NFL players on one’s roster – which the “man cave” would drool over. It also includes the male gender’s favorite activity, betting on things that are out of his control.

I have just recently joined my first league. A very apathetic NFL fan, I entered the draft for two purposes: the aspect of competition and the desire to learn why it is so captivating.

As the draft began, I learned my first lesson. One room, eight people and the anxiety on the faces around me suddenly morphed into a barbaric ritual as the draft countdown hit zero. Yelling and swearing commenced as players were selected one by one, leaving potential owners scrambling to find a suitable replacement. Friends were applauded on certain picks and harassed on others.

“Why in the world would you pick Cam Newton?” You soon learn who the geniuses are – Newton is in the top five among fantasy quarterbacks.

Lesson 1: Fantasy Football is a brotherhood.

To this very week, my addiction grows. I constantly check my computer on Sundays, hoping for miracle performances and usually left in desperation. The week between Tuesday and Saturday is a constant repetition of checking ESPN projections, signing free agents, and proposing trades. Every day of the week promises a special slot for Fantasy Football.

The endless cycle provides its share of drama as well. Rosters suffer injuries, providing the sad realization that one’s best player is out for the year. This is especially evident to the team who drafted Peyton Manning as their first-string quarterback.

Underdogs overachieve and favorites underachieve, unless you have Aaron Rodgers. One can be favored by as many as thirty points, only to be left scratching their heads at the final results. Yes, that was personal experience. Thank you Ray Rice (three points) and Phillip Rivers (four points).

Fantasy Football encompasses every emotion of the male gender and delivers them better than any Die Hard movie to date.

Lesson 2: Fantasy Football is all the entertainment a male needs.
The last lesson that Fantasy Football has taught me hits close to home. As a resident of the state of Alabama, I have never seen a use for the NFL. My perpetual bias towards college football and the Crimson Tide never allowed for it.

College provides me with my first true glimpse of NFL fans. Mostly shouts of “Who Dat” or support of the Atlanta Falcons resides at the campus. Sorry Tennessee Titans, I have yet to believe you have fans.
Still, I could not bear watching NFL games. Fantasy Football has changed that. Although I am still without a favorite team, I am knowledgeable of the progress of all those college players I grew up watching, and I have the opportunity to enjoy watching some good football.

Lesson 3: Fantasy Football is a college fan’s saving grace.

Major League Baseball: You're So Vain

Dear Baseball,

I am your typical fan. Do not worry, though; I am a typical fan of other matters of entertainment, as well. I am a typical fan of international soccer, the Avett Brothers, primetime television slots, etc. I have been a lifelong Braves fan. Guess you had other plans for us this year, right?

However, I would like to address an issue that haunts us typical baseball fans.

Speaking of primetime television slots, my relationship with you can best be compared to my relationship with the television series “Lost.” Previews for the show, equitable to spring training, were around for a while. Intrigue was produced, but no real fanaticism followed. Finally, the debut aired.

The opening of a great television series is as amiable as the aroma of your opening day. For months, or seasons, in this analogous television metaphor, my attention was primarily focused on the day-to-day occurrences on your diamond and the week-to-week struggle to survive and discover on the Island.

I was puzzled at the fact the Braves could be down eight games to the Marlins in June – although there were still a billion games left to play. As for Lost, I was puzzled at the fact that (insert any person, past happening, dietary preference, polar bear) had taken place.

Suddenly, at the end of season four and my two-week free trial of Netflix, all interest was lost. For baseball, the end of season four lies somewhere around the All-Star game. As the abrupt ending was unintentional with “Lost,” you were dropped with the best intentions. Our relationship was no longer benefitting me. You were transforming into a Harry Potter marathon for churchgoers against sorcery and “devil-worshipping.”

However, I would check in on you from time to time. SportsCenter provided me with some highlights and an up-to-date playoff race, and I reminisced to a time where you were enjoyable to watch. I would catch some episodes of Lost as well, only to be “lost” as hell. Truth is, I had a new interest, and she was even attractive in the preseason. Football was all that I could think about.

As a typical fan, I believe that I can speak for the typical fan base when I say, stop throwing yourself at us. It is desperate, and it does not bode well for your reputation. Your last-ditch efforts at stealing us back has included an entertaining postseason; but, honestly, honey, more people viewed the Bears/Lions game Monday night instead of your two offers, which even included the first postseason grand slam.

As I did view the last episode of “Lost,” I will most likely view the World Series. Sadly, I will probably only watch a couple of games and almost none in their entirety. For myself and the rest of the ADHD-ridden fan base out there, we have some advice.

First, why a 162-game season? Are you that vain? Lindsay Lohan does not steal the tabloid spotlight as tirelessly as you try to steal the sports spotlight. We are not looking for anything serious. We want to mingle. You have always been our late spring/early summer girl.

Second, speaking of vain, remove your title of “America’s Pastime.” No one appreciates a girl who struts around in her tiara and talks about winning Miss Flat River Creek when she was fourteen. Besides, it has been a solid twenty years since your title. You are becoming a “Toddlers and Tiaras” mom.

Third, have you ever played MLB Slugfest? It would be interesting to turn baseball into a full contact sport for a game or two. Think of things to up your sex appeal in these trying times.

Baseball, we do appreciate you. You are loyal to the United States. You provide the most entertaining, nationally televised sporting event for twelve-year-olds. You have provided other sports with reliable negotiating procedures – ahem, NBA. However, this typical fan and many others out there cannot continue to pretend that you’re our one and only.