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The SEC gauntlet schedule mythos
Posted on 12/13/23 at 8:33 am
Posted on 12/13/23 at 8:33 am
The one consistent thing I see parroted here is the idea that winning one or two games against an SEC team (like we did against Bama this year) is one thing, but try winning when you have to play an SEC team week in and week out.
Where does this narrative come from? Because it sounds like wishcasting and a coping mechanism for the 75% of SEC schools who consistently suck and need an explanation for why they can’t put together a sustainable winning run, and it sounds like the last gasp hope of the forever middling teams who will immediately be leapfrogged in respect and competitiveness by Texas and OU’s entry to the conference.
In short; why do teams like A&M and Mizzou and Miss St and UK and Tenn and Auburn love the “SEC is a gauntlet” mythos?
Where does this narrative come from? Because it sounds like wishcasting and a coping mechanism for the 75% of SEC schools who consistently suck and need an explanation for why they can’t put together a sustainable winning run, and it sounds like the last gasp hope of the forever middling teams who will immediately be leapfrogged in respect and competitiveness by Texas and OU’s entry to the conference.
In short; why do teams like A&M and Mizzou and Miss St and UK and Tenn and Auburn love the “SEC is a gauntlet” mythos?
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Posted on 12/13/23 at 8:35 am to VYForever
You gone find out soon enough.
Posted on 12/13/23 at 8:35 am to VYForever
Posted on 12/13/23 at 8:36 am to VYForever
I'm an Alabama fan. The SEC (especially the West if combined with 1-2 of the better East teams) is a gauntlet.
The lesser teams in the SEC have NFL players in their front 7. Their stadiums seat at least 60K and are hostile. You play very few if any teams where you waltz into a stadium of 25K people and play a roster that has 1 guy that will be drafted like you do in basically every other league. That team is generally Vanderbilt.
It's a physical gauntlet, and it will be even more so when Texas and Oklahoma (programs that are both good and have tons of big physical talent) jump on schedules. Your weeks off end with your guys banged to hell and having just gotten out of a street fight most of the time.
The lesser teams in the SEC have NFL players in their front 7. Their stadiums seat at least 60K and are hostile. You play very few if any teams where you waltz into a stadium of 25K people and play a roster that has 1 guy that will be drafted like you do in basically every other league. That team is generally Vanderbilt.
It's a physical gauntlet, and it will be even more so when Texas and Oklahoma (programs that are both good and have tons of big physical talent) jump on schedules. Your weeks off end with your guys banged to hell and having just gotten out of a street fight most of the time.
This post was edited on 12/13/23 at 8:38 am
Posted on 12/13/23 at 8:39 am to VYForever
“You better get ready longhorns! Sure you consistently played teams that were recently in NY6 bowl games like Baylor, TCU, Kansas State and Oklahoma State, but just wait until you have to consistently play the likes of Mississippi State, Kentucky, South Carolina and Vanderbilt!!” 
ETA: man I had no idea this tweet would offend so many. Guess not much has changed...
ETA:
man I had no idea this tweet would offend so many. Guess not much has changed... This post was edited on 12/13/23 at 10:04 am
Posted on 12/13/23 at 8:39 am to VYForever
You guys should know all about struggling to win consistently looking at the last decade...in the BIG12 that is. Easy to talk shite when you haven't faced it.
Teams like Georgia will be coming to town next year. Not Baylor or Kansas.
To an extent I'd agree some of the SEC teams that struggle put too much into it all about being based on the difficulty of the league but there is some merit to it.
We'll find out next season. That's the fun part.
I know a team like Michigan would not be 13-0 if they played an SEC schedule. No shot.
Teams like Georgia will be coming to town next year. Not Baylor or Kansas.
To an extent I'd agree some of the SEC teams that struggle put too much into it all about being based on the difficulty of the league but there is some merit to it.
We'll find out next season. That's the fun part.
I know a team like Michigan would not be 13-0 if they played an SEC schedule. No shot.
Posted on 12/13/23 at 8:40 am to VYForever
The SEC schedule tests a team's depth, plain and simple. Texas and OU have not been tested on that level yet, through no fault of anyone.
The many weekends of being able to out athlete an opposing team are over. And although your team may walk away with a stylistically nice looking victory, the team will suffer more nicks/bruises more than previous years.
There is far more attrition on that level in this league.
The many weekends of being able to out athlete an opposing team are over. And although your team may walk away with a stylistically nice looking victory, the team will suffer more nicks/bruises more than previous years.
There is far more attrition on that level in this league.
Posted on 12/13/23 at 8:41 am to VYForever
quote:
Where does this narrative come from?
common sense and logical thinking, mostly.
Posted on 12/13/23 at 8:41 am to VYForever
You will find out soon enough, sweet tits.
Posted on 12/13/23 at 8:42 am to Shea Vinnerbush
Personally, I think the transition for somebody from the Big XII will not be nearly as big as somebody from the B1G would be. The Big XII is basically Texas/Oklahoma (when they are right as programs) and a bunch of schools who kind of fit that mold of teams that are pains in the asses in the SEC : Iowa State, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, etc.
The B1G is the league where the difference in athlete at the top vs the bottom is such a drastic difference. Playing Purdue, Minnesota and Northwestern is not in the same realm as playing South Carolina, Florida and Mississippi State.
The B1G is the league where the difference in athlete at the top vs the bottom is such a drastic difference. Playing Purdue, Minnesota and Northwestern is not in the same realm as playing South Carolina, Florida and Mississippi State.
This post was edited on 12/13/23 at 8:43 am
Posted on 12/13/23 at 8:42 am to Shea Vinnerbush
Tall shite about SC all you want. We're well used to it.
Historically, we ruin someone's season every year. Even when we're mediocre as grits.
Historically, we ruin someone's season every year. Even when we're mediocre as grits.
Posted on 12/13/23 at 8:43 am to VYForever
You will have to see it for yourself. It’s different.
Posted on 12/13/23 at 8:44 am to VYForever
quote:
In short; why do teams like A&M and Mizzou and Miss St and UK and Tenn and Auburn love the “SEC is a gauntlet” mythos?
Well on team in your "middling" tier has won a title and played for another more recently than Texas.
Posted on 12/13/23 at 8:48 am to VYForever
In 2021, there were 505 active NFL players from the SEC. 207 from the Big 12.
You have trouble with math or did you switch that class out with lesbian dance theory during your time in austin?
You have trouble with math or did you switch that class out with lesbian dance theory during your time in austin?
Posted on 12/13/23 at 8:49 am to VYForever
Basically it is true. Every team Texas will play is ready to knock your head off. They may not win, but your players are going to spend a lot more time in the tubs and with the trainers.
Yes you did beat Alabama but what other team (besides OU gave Texas a game in the Big 12? When Texas plays Ole Miss, Mississippi State and LSU back to back you will hear your players talk about how tough it is. Texas may win, but they will know they have been in a fight.
But look at the bowl records for the SEC teams. They usually win when they go bowling (and they do that a lot)
Yes you did beat Alabama but what other team (besides OU gave Texas a game in the Big 12? When Texas plays Ole Miss, Mississippi State and LSU back to back you will hear your players talk about how tough it is. Texas may win, but they will know they have been in a fight.
But look at the bowl records for the SEC teams. They usually win when they go bowling (and they do that a lot)
Posted on 12/13/23 at 8:51 am to VYForever
Our middle of the pack teams would wreck shite in the BIG 12 or ACC
Posted on 12/13/23 at 8:53 am to VYForever
South Alabama beat your Big 12 Championship opponent by 26
Posted on 12/13/23 at 8:55 am to RoyalAir
quote:
mediocre as grits
Posted on 12/13/23 at 8:57 am to Topwater Trout
No they wouldn’t, because they wouldn’t recruit like they do in the SEC.
The “more talent” line of thinking goes both ways. Texas will recruit even better with the SEC patch.
And I’d like to see some data that playing against more NFL talent means more injuries.
The “more talent” line of thinking goes both ways. Texas will recruit even better with the SEC patch.
And I’d like to see some data that playing against more NFL talent means more injuries.
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