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SEC needs Alabama to win the national title to save its reputation
By John Brasier
Published:
At least the SEC has Alabama.
It hasn’t been a vintage season for the conference. A national title for the Crimson Tide is the only way the SEC can save any bragging rights.
The East Division, heavily criticized the past several seasons, may have been at its worst this season.
East champion Florida was punchless after losing QB Will Grier. Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina had disappointing seasons and lost their coaches. Tennessee lost four close games. By the end of the season, Mizzou, Kentucky and South Carolina were reeling.
In the West, Auburn and LSU had disappointing seasons. Texas A&M fell back after a fast start.
The non-conference results were embarrassing for a conference accustomed to dominating.
Ole Miss beat No. 2 Alabama, but lost to Memphis. South Carolina lost to The Citadel, an FCS team. East champion Florida needed overtime to beat Florida Atlantic. Georgia needed overtime to beat Georgia Southern. Arkansas lost to Toledo.
The SEC lost three of four rivalry games to the ACC during the final week of the regular season.
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier was so disappointed in his team that he quit in midseason. Georgia coach Mark Richt lost his job. LSU’s Les Miles almost did.
Auburn, Texas A&M, Georgia, Vanderbilt, South Carolina and Kentucky couldn’t settle on a quarterback. LSU, Florida and Missouri were ineffective at the position.
The SEC will have chances to help save its name in the bowl season. Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Arkansas and Tennessee should be tough bowl opponents.
But it’s all up to Alabama. If the Tide can beat Florida in the SEC Championship Game then win two playoff games, the national title will return to the SEC after a two-year absence.
Though the middle of the conference is solid, the Tide is the SEC’s only elite team. Ole Miss’ loss to Memphis stings. Mississippi State was 0-4 against SEC top 25 teams. Tennessee lost at home to Oklahoma. Arkansas lost two non-conference games.
The Big Ten, long sensitive about the SEC’s dominance, has three teams in the top six in the College Football Playoff rankings. The ACC has three in the top 10. The Big 12 has four in the top 17.
The SEC drops from Alabama at No. 2 to Ole Miss at No. 13 with LSU, Florida and Tennessee the only other teams making the top 25.
But the big prize is what is remembered most. If the Tide can win it, the SEC can salvage its reputation. If not, there’s nothing to distract attention from a disappointing season, much less anything to brag about.
