SEC Not Any Better Than Big Ten

Fast SEC vs. Slow Big Ten. That is the stereotype whenever the two conferences play each other on the big stage. The entire "slow" conference can thank THE Ohio State Buckeyes for their meltdowns the past two seasons. The lack of competition by the reigning Big Ten Champs is where the rest of the country gets these perceptions. Since the comments favor the SEC, they are not about to deny them. In fact, the SEC heres it so much, they feel it must be true.

Over the past few days, I have taken a gander at multiple online forums for South Carolina fans. On them, some Gamecock fans seem disappointed with the match up. They know very little about Iowa outside of beating Penn State, and fear this will be boring when USC uses their "speed" against the Hawkeyes.

With all due respect, Cocks fans, let's get your facts straight. The Capital One Bowl has the top non-BCS selection for both the Big Ten and the SEC, usually the second or third teams. The Big Ten has won each of the past 4 meetings! The Outback Bowl has the second non-BCS selection for both conferences, and since 2002, each conference boasts a 3-3 record in the game.

And then there is this year. Both conferences put two teams into the BCS, giving the Capital One Bowl the third pick from both conferences. The game, Georgia vs. Michigan State, is a match up of Top 20 teams who both got blown out by top competition within their conference.

The difference is in the Outback Bowl. With it's invitation, South Carolina becomes the first 5 loss team to ever play in the Tampa game! Both Iowa and South Carolina had an opportunity to knock a team out of the National Championship picture. The Gamecocks hid in a corner while the Hawkeyes took care of business.

The SEC has a great reputation this season in large part to Alabama and Florida. The Outback Bowl, however, displays the lack of talent throughout the entire conference. It's a conference that lacks any depth. In fact, by the time the Outback Bowl had its selection, it was between South Carolina, and another 5 loss team, LSU.

Don't get me wrong. I am not here to brag about how much better the Big Ten is than the SEC. Nor am I attempting to take a stab at South Carolina. It is time, however, the "slow" guys start getting their due.