How different would this conference be if Saban had never come to LSU?

That's hard to say. Several factors are different since he last coached at Michigan State. I am truly grateful that he turned LSU around.

Looks like I started a chain reaction.

As much as it pains my old arse to say it, you're going too far back in time. Why not ask what would the SEC be like if Spurrier never got the head job at Florida? What if Bear Bryant thought Texas A&M was good enough for him and his family?

Truth is, there's not a lot today that would exist if Saban hadn't gone to LSU.

As for 2000-2005, LSU probably hires someone else that builds them into a respectable program. The area was too ripe for recruiting for LSU to say in their 90s version.

Did Saban make LSU or LSU make Saban. LSU hired a coach that had been a MAC head coach, currently a Big 10 coach of five years with a 59% winning percentaqge, lost the three bowl games in four years Michigan State particpated. His last year was 9-2 and LSU offered this hard driven coach a job. Previous poster was right with his supposition that LSU was fertile territory. He had one season with fewer than three losses and won a national championship in five years. He build a grert foundation at LSU and after a hiatus to the pros has produced a juggernaut with a historically grand program. LSU took a chance on a young and upcoming coach and gave him the platform for his future success.

Mark Emmert hired Saban. So at the end of the day, thank Mike Foster and Boysie Bollinger's family and self-generated wealth for putting Foster in office as the Governor of Louisiana.

Which enabled him to hand pick and hire Emmert to run LSU. Which enabled him to tell the BOS at LSU to STFU while he chose his own guy as HC.

Saban became uber successful by being able to end around the AD and answer directly to Emmert. Emmert was the only guy who could take our Compliance Director and stick him in the Ticket Office when Saban complained.

So, long story short: Mike Foster is the father of the modern path of the SEC since 2000...

And tub retires at auburn with an 80% win ratio