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The Great SEC Paradox: Why Do Yesterday's Wins Matter More Than Today's
Posted on 10/2/25 at 5:57 pm
Posted on 10/2/25 at 5:57 pm
I've noticed something interesting in conversations with some SEC fans and it's been reinforced on this forum. I'm genuinely curious about the perspective here.
Why do so many fans put such heavy emphasis on their program's historical success—national championships from decades ago, Heisman trophies from 30+ years ago, all-time win records—and use that history as evidence that their program is currently superior to teams that are actually winning more games right now?
I get being proud of your program's legacy. History matters to fans, tradition is part of what makes college football special. But I see fans frequently argue that their team is "better" than another program based almost entirely on what happened 20, 30, or even 50 years ago, even when the present-day results tell a completely different story.
Is it just more satisfying to claim superiority based on the past when the present isn't living up to those standards?
I'm not trying to bash anyone. I'm legitimately trying to understand this mindset. What makes historical success feel like a valid claim to current superiority?
Why do so many fans put such heavy emphasis on their program's historical success—national championships from decades ago, Heisman trophies from 30+ years ago, all-time win records—and use that history as evidence that their program is currently superior to teams that are actually winning more games right now?
I get being proud of your program's legacy. History matters to fans, tradition is part of what makes college football special. But I see fans frequently argue that their team is "better" than another program based almost entirely on what happened 20, 30, or even 50 years ago, even when the present-day results tell a completely different story.
Is it just more satisfying to claim superiority based on the past when the present isn't living up to those standards?
I'm not trying to bash anyone. I'm legitimately trying to understand this mindset. What makes historical success feel like a valid claim to current superiority?
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Posted on 10/2/25 at 6:08 pm to Craw_Dad
quote:
Why do so many fans put such heavy emphasis on their program's historical success—national championships from decades ago, Heisman trophies from 30+ years ago, all-time win records—and use that history as evidence that their program is currently superior to teams that are actually winning more games right now?
This isn’t aimed at the OP - it’s answering his question.
Tell me you have a micropenis without telling me you have a micropenis.
This post was edited on 10/2/25 at 6:15 pm
Posted on 10/2/25 at 6:08 pm to Craw_Dad
I don’t think people do that all that much on here. I love Tennessee football history though and the history of the SEC as well.
Posted on 10/2/25 at 6:39 pm to Craw_Dad
Because it’s fun to shite talk. I say this as a fan of a program with little to no historical success.
Posted on 10/2/25 at 6:40 pm to TMRebel
Posted on 10/2/25 at 7:47 pm to TMRebel
quote:
Because it’s fun to shite talk. I say this as a fan of a program with little to no historical success.
More to the point....
If your team isn't having current success...
But has had historical success....
quote:
use that history as evidence that their program is currently superior to teams that are actually winning more games right now?
What the hell else are you supposed to do...?
This post was edited on 10/2/25 at 7:49 pm
Posted on 10/2/25 at 7:51 pm to Craw_Dad
Teams that won championships have a pedigree.
This pedigree can be pointed to when runts brag about a 2-2 record or a 3-2 record against a school. Often other subpar programs will point to some odd year when they wanted the rivalry to begin. And they will usually point to a 500 record since then.
You should quickly, and correctly point them to the fact that their program has been garbage and will most likely return back to it.
That team cannot point back to how its program one SEC titles. They can only point to individual gains that were their Super Bowls.
This pedigree can be pointed to when runts brag about a 2-2 record or a 3-2 record against a school. Often other subpar programs will point to some odd year when they wanted the rivalry to begin. And they will usually point to a 500 record since then.
You should quickly, and correctly point them to the fact that their program has been garbage and will most likely return back to it.
That team cannot point back to how its program one SEC titles. They can only point to individual gains that were their Super Bowls.
This post was edited on 10/2/25 at 7:53 pm
Posted on 10/2/25 at 7:57 pm to Gunga Din
everything about sports is funny in its own way. Historical records and wins , what your team did last year, etc. I find that as I get older (I am 89 ) sports has lost its luster and I have always been a Texas fan.
Now I find the endless trash talking to be kinda childish but I sometimes still do it myself, but over all other things in life is starting to take over from sports. I guess that is part of life so you young guys enjoy it .
Now I find the endless trash talking to be kinda childish but I sometimes still do it myself, but over all other things in life is starting to take over from sports. I guess that is part of life so you young guys enjoy it .
Posted on 10/2/25 at 7:57 pm to Craw_Dad
quote:
and use that history as evidence that their program is currently superior to teams that are actually winning more games right now?
Could you list some examples? I can't really think of any team of the top of my head that fits your description. Most of the historically successful teams have also been successful in the last decade. Bama, Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas, Notre Dame, & Tennessee all come to mind but they've all had plenty of recent success if we're being honest here.
Maybe Nebraska?? Who are you talking about?
Posted on 10/2/25 at 8:02 pm to Craw_Dad
Because learning about SEC history is fun & interesting. It is not always about Championships but more about great memories of games, players, coaches, plays etc. that happened over the years that have helped make this the greatest conference in the land. It is more than just wins and losses.
Posted on 10/2/25 at 8:26 pm to Craw_Dad
I’m not sure you’re talking about, but I bet Alabama has more wins, conference championships, and national championships than your football team has 
Posted on 10/3/25 at 12:44 pm to Bigdawgb
Lots of examples with Florida. Take a look at the Drinkwitz isn't going to Florida thread.
I see it from fans of many schools talking about Vandy vs Alabama this week. Vanderbilt is damn good and can absolutely beat the Tide. The bloom has come off Alabama's rose a bit during the transition to DeBoer, and instead of acknowledging it, Bama fans act as if Vandy doesn't belong on the same field. A few years ago, yes. You're a fool if you think that today.
I see it in discussions about Ole Miss. They're a top 5 ranked team, and Kiffin has brought sustained excellence. Why do Vol/UGADawg/LSUTiger/Sooner fans feel the need to act superior based on a history of success? Y'all aren't superior right now. Maybe citing nattys from decades ago or listing off your Heismans who are now dead or have joined AARP makes you feel superior, but its a transparent cope.
I see it from fans of many schools talking about Vandy vs Alabama this week. Vanderbilt is damn good and can absolutely beat the Tide. The bloom has come off Alabama's rose a bit during the transition to DeBoer, and instead of acknowledging it, Bama fans act as if Vandy doesn't belong on the same field. A few years ago, yes. You're a fool if you think that today.
I see it in discussions about Ole Miss. They're a top 5 ranked team, and Kiffin has brought sustained excellence. Why do Vol/UGADawg/LSUTiger/Sooner fans feel the need to act superior based on a history of success? Y'all aren't superior right now. Maybe citing nattys from decades ago or listing off your Heismans who are now dead or have joined AARP makes you feel superior, but its a transparent cope.
Posted on 10/3/25 at 12:49 pm to Craw_Dad
quote:
Bama fans act as if Vandy doesn't belong on the same field
I assume from your username that you're an LSU fan. I'm sure that if Vandy beats the Tigers in a couple of weeks, the LSU fanbase will take it in stride and accept the Commodores as an equal rather than freaking out about losing to a traditional also-ran.
Posted on 10/3/25 at 12:51 pm to Craw_Dad
Let’s go living in the past.. Jethro Tull 1969
Posted on 10/3/25 at 12:54 pm to Craw_Dad
There is usually a correlation between past success and future success. Why? There are many reasons, such as fertile recruiting grounds, booster commitment, brand name, etc. All of this allows that school the opportunity to hire better coaches and to recruit better players.
But it isn't always true. LSU is a good example. Historically, they are decent, but not great. Since 2000, they are a beast, but they are also the only P4 school in a talent rich state right in the middle of the SEC. So yes, it is possible, but it requires a lot of different things to line up perfect, and even then, it doesn't always happen.
A good coach that stays at a program for a long time makes a big difference as well. See Duke Basketball.
But it isn't always true. LSU is a good example. Historically, they are decent, but not great. Since 2000, they are a beast, but they are also the only P4 school in a talent rich state right in the middle of the SEC. So yes, it is possible, but it requires a lot of different things to line up perfect, and even then, it doesn't always happen.
A good coach that stays at a program for a long time makes a big difference as well. See Duke Basketball.
Posted on 10/3/25 at 12:57 pm to Gunga Din
quote:m
What the hell else are you supposed to do...?
If your team currently isn’t winning shite and another team is seeing success for the first time in awhile, how bout not posting “sick burns” like 40 years ago matters as much as the last few years or the Present year
Posted on 10/3/25 at 12:57 pm to Craw_Dad
quote:
I see it in discussions about Ole Miss. They're a top 5 ranked team, and Kiffin has brought sustained excellence. Why do Vol/UGADawg/LSUTiger/Sooner fans feel the need to act superior based on a history of success?
If Lane stays at Ole Miss for the next 20 years, they should be good, but it isn't guaranteed in the NIL world. The biggest problem is that no one expects Lane to stay at Ole Miss for the next 20 years.
Why do those other schools act superior?
1) They are historically superior.
2) They have the money and booster support to stay relevant in the future.
If Lane goes 8-4 every year, Ole Miss will let him stay for as long as he wants.
If Lane went 8-4 every year at one of those other schools, they would fire his arse and keep firing coaches until they found a winner.
This post was edited on 10/3/25 at 12:59 pm
Posted on 10/3/25 at 1:01 pm to TheTideMustRoll
quote:
I assume from your username that you're an LSU fan.
I can see how you'd make that assumption, but I'm not an LSU fan. My team has taken a few licks from LSU and given a few too.
I try to be as even handed as I can be in my assessment of teams and fanbases. This is just an observation I've made and I think it's a bad look.
Posted on 10/3/25 at 1:16 pm to Craw_Dad
quote:
This is just an observation I've made and I think it's a bad look.
Not sure how being proud of a team's history and tradition is a bad look. This happens to be the 100th anniversary season of Alabama's first Rose Bowl appearance (& the first Southern team to appear in the Rose Bowl). Is honoring/celebrating that this season at halftime, or before kickoff of a game a bad look?
Posted on 10/3/25 at 1:25 pm to GreatPumpkin
quote:
don’t think people do that all that much on here.
People do that all the time on here. Especially as it relates to head coach hires. Like Coach X wants to go to school Y cause they won a natty there 25 years ago. It's a whole different game today. Especially with NIL, some of the advantages certain places had 25 years ago they don't necessarily have today.
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