re: Why does the SEC outside of Alabama and Georgia think they are the same?

Because in the SEC in the last 20 years, half of the conference's teams have had national championships?

Alabama
LSU
Florida
UGA
Auburn

And not just one, LOTS of natties among them all. Except UGA and Auburn. They log just 1 each, but have both been to the game multiple times.

What does the whole SEC think they're as good as the current top two? Because our fans expect more.

Don't get it twisted. Kentucky/Vandy/South Carolina/MSU/Arky/OM don't see themselves on our level. But they're a part of the ship and crew because they get to run the SEC gauntlet every damn year and get grinded. I submit that MSU, Arky, and South Carolina would all have seen much more success in any other conference.