Ad Disclosure
As the conference prepares for Rivalry Week, it’s time to separate a few of the perceptions in the SEC with some of its realities.
PERCEPTION: LES MILES DESERVES TO STAY AT LSU
The numbers speak for themselves. Les Miles is not only one of the winningest coaches in LSU history, but is among the nation’s elite sideline stalkers. Miles is 110-32 in Baton Rouge since taking over the reins 11 years ago. During that tenure, he’s won a national title and played for another, won a pair of SEC championships and has sent more players (40) to the NFL than any other program in the nation. Plus, LSU has the No. 2 recruiting class next year, according to 24/7 Sports. Put your $15-20 million away, boosters. Miles deserves to stay.
REALITY: THE DREAM IS OVER IN BATON ROUGE
The LSU offense, once thought to be running on higher octane, has stumbled with the struggles of running back Leonard Fournette. The Tigers have been exposed as one-dimensional, with a passing attack that ranks among the worst in the SEC and an offense that’s been flagged more than any other in the conference. It’s been a bad month with three straight losses. But when we step back, how much of an elite coach is Miles, actually? He has just the one national title, and that was a long time ago. Eight coaches, for instance, are considered elite for winning three or more national titles Those eight coaches – Bear Bryant with five titles; Frank Leahy and Nick Saban with four; and Bernie Bierman, John McKay, Barry Switzer, Bud Wilkinson and Urban Meyer with three – combined to win their second championship in an average of less than four years. It’s been eight years in Baton Rouge since Miles won his national title. Plus, the number of victories isn’t as impressive when you consider that Miles ranks No. 18 among active coaches for win percentage (.723 percent). The group ahead of him includes Jimbo Fisher at No. 4 overall (.825 winning percentage). The Florida State head coach is rumored to be on LSU’s short list to replace Miles. Plus, that No. 2 recruiting class next season? It doesn’t have a much-needed quarterback in it.
PERCEPTION: IT’S A DOWN YEAR IN THE SEC
Traditional powers such as Auburn, Georgia and LSU have struggled at times this season. As, too, have the likes of Arkansas and Tennessee, who were dark-horse teams to win their respective divisions during the run-up to Week 1. Mississippi State and Ole Miss each failed to capture the Magnolia State magic from a year ago and the bottom fell out in South Carolina and Missouri. All told, it wasn’t a strong year for the SEC.
REALITY: YEAH, IT’S DOWN…EVERYWHERE
What’s the ultimate barometer for a college football team once the playoffs are out of the question? Bowl games, that’s what. Last year, the SEC sent 12 teams to the postseason. Only Kentucky and Vanderbilt stayed home. We already know South Carolina and the Commodores are home for the holidays but the SEC can still get 12 if Missouri and Kentucky can advance. It’s a down year in the SEC, but all told, it’s a bit of an irregular year throughout the entire nation.
Chris Wuensch is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers South Carolina and Tennessee.
