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If you are a graduate of a Big 10 school and a fan of Big 10 football, you had to come away from Saturday's menu of college football extravaganzas--Florida/Alabama, USC/UCLA and Oklahoma/Missouri--with a bad case of indigestion.
As the great Bobby Jones told a golf writer after seeing Jack Nicklaus for the first time: "He plays a game with which I am unfamiliar."
Well, the SEC, Pac-10 and Big 12 play a game that is unfamiliar to the Big 10. Those teams have more speed, more athleticism and more talent. Not to mention the electric atmosphere and enthusiasm generated by the crowds. You don't see that kind of excitement this side of a Michigan/Ohio State game.
Have you seen a Sam Bradford or Tim Tebow in the Big 10? How about Julio Jones? Does anyone in the Big 10 play defense like USC? Does any school in the Big 10 have one or two offensive players who could break into the starting lineup at Oklahoma?
"There is no doubt that the Big 10 is down in talent compared to the Big 12 and the SEC--and USC may be the most talented team in the country," said recruiting analyst Tom Lemming of CBS College Sports.
So what's the difference?
"It's all about recruiting," Lemming said. "No league is as aggressive as the SEC...Saban, Meyer, Fulmer, Richt...they are relentless, 24/7, non-stop. In the South, football is a year-round occupation. The North isn't as dedicated to football as the South.
"There are more players in the South. Football is more important in high schools in the South. (Ohio State's) Jim Tressel is the best recruiter in the Big 10. And (Illinois') Ron Zook and (Minnesota's) Tim Brewster aren't far behind. But coaches in the SEC are great salesmen."
There are other factors that give the SEC a big edge.
"The SEC has developed a climate of 'win now, baby.' A coach has only a one-year grace period to win because of the competitive nature in the conference," Lemming said. "They have a one-year grace period in the SEC. In the Big 10, they have three years."
Look at the evidence, Lemming said. Arkansas' Bobby Petrino already is on the hot seat after only one year. Saban was harshly criticized after his first-year loss to Louisiana-Monroe. And Auburn's Tommy Tuberville, who had an outstanding 10-year run and beat Alabama six years in a row, was fired after one bad season.
There is truth to the often used argument that the Big 10 is tougher academically than the SEC and Big 12, that kids who can't qualify for the Big 10 end up signing at an SEC or Big 12 school.
There are ways to do it, even legally. Some schools bring in junior college players whose grades are changed legally during summer school. In other cases, kids with bad grades are categorized with a learning disability. As a result, they are permitted to take the ACT exam verbally with no time limit, which makes it much easier to pass.
"In the end, it all comes down to an assistant coach's ability to sell his school," Lemming said. "The Big 10 has everything the other conferences have--good facilities, television exposure and academics. They just don't recruit as aggressively."
Finally, Lemming insists the SEC and Big 12 schools have an edge over the Big 10 because their recruiters understand the basic fundamentals of the process.
"Kids go to school where the spotlight shines," he said. "They look for three things--the best facilities, girls and the quickest way to the NFL."
Cell Phone Alerts
YOU HAVE TO GIVE COACH ZOOK ALOT OF CREDIT FOR AT LEAST
TRYING TO RECRUIT PLAYERS FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA,
MAYBE I'M WRONG BUT I DON'T THINK ALOT OF COACHES FROM
THE BIG TEN EVEN VENTURE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA TO
RECRUIT!
To be honest, all those for mention factors do come into
play as the reason why the Big 12 is better now. But, I don't think the SEC is better this year, my reasoning..look at the SEC record outside of the top two teams against the ACC and its not good. and I don't believe the SEC 4-10 teams would beat the Big 10's 4-10 amd I think osu would beat alabama, they play the same style of ball as does Florida and Penn State..whic I believe Florida would win that game narrowly.
Now, to the point of recruiting its simple..the midwest particularly the Chicago area in high school basketball is the equivalent to the whole south in Basketball. Teams from across the country rush to recruit players from the Midwest/Chicago. So, athletes are there, I think the problem is distribution of talent. The big Three in the midwest Illinois, Pennsylvannia and Ohio rival any southern states in athletes and quality football players. Knowing that the talent is here, this is where I agree with Mr. Lemming that the coaches aren't recruiting as they should. But, I think the major problem is not the ability of homegrown players or the passion of the fans..I think its the attitude of the schools, alumni base etc..In the south the alumni is very active in every facet of school sports eapecially football, but I also, feel that the school feels like they will be successful off the name of the school and conference. For years the Big 10 and 12 where the best conferences and The SEC was mostly considered a 3 team conference which were UGA, Tenn, U of Fla. It wasn't til U of Miami and Fla state went down in Talent due to legal and ncaa probation issues that the SEC started getting this mass influx of great talent. But, that's all about to change if look at the recruiting list players are starting to head back to Florida State and Miami so the SEC will be back to normal in the next 3 years with alot of quality players in the region not attending there schools. Lastly, consider the Big Ten share alot of talent with the MAC that always at least two or three teams that can compete with the upper mid-teir of any conference. And the SEC has only only 4 teams in conference USA to share talent with.
Bottom line the SEC was giving a stigma of being great which it isn't look at the record this year against BCS conference teams and all the 7 or 6 win teams, So, Auburn, Tennessee great, NO! But they are part of the conference argument right? Anyway, the big 10 will be back in 2 years. If not for any other reason than we have great coaches..Don't believe then why are there 4 Big Ten country head Coaches at national prominent programs, 3 of which are in the SEC. Who you may ask: Les Miles-LSU, Urban Meyer-U of FLA, Nick Saban and I almost forgot Youngstown Ohio native Bob Stoops-U of Oklahoma..Not my fault ya'll just make better coaches up there I guess. And the Big 10 has alot of good coaches now. By the way the Big 12 has always been one of the top two conferences they just have had too many coaching inconsistantcies inregards not being able to win with the ton of talent they have had. Oh, by the way did I mention I went to an SEC school and live in SEC country..the difference between and my southern peers is that I truely love the sport of College Football and have traveled and scnene the passion at alot of different campus..to be honest the SEC football scene is no different than in any other conference, for proof just go to an SEC when they play a lesser non ranked or out of conference opponent then you'll see that I am right.