The SEC Effect, A&M 2012 Case Study

First, I strongly believe that the Aggies would NOT have gone undefeated in the Big XII. Let's assume that they did, however. I think they DON'T get to the Natty.

Why is the SEC so strong? PERCEPTION.

This was an A&M team built on 2011 talent. So why the exponential jump in play? JFF makes it an easy explanation, but it's about how the team saw itself. They were the newbs into the SEC and desperately needed to shed their Big XII image. An image that was earned by collapse after collapse and luke warm year after another.

Teams playing OOC SEC games face two opponenets. The team on the field and "The SEC". I think that air of dread is good for at least 4 points a game, home or away. THe proof is that whenever an SEC team goes OOC, that opponent is looking to destroy the SEC Myth.

There is a raw talent wealth of riches in the SEC, but there are other elite teams out there that have or SHOULD have just as much talent. Ohio State will be a player next year. Oregon, if their coach stays, will be there too.

Back to A&M. They played this year with a chip on their shoulder and always had something to prove. They HAD to win, or they would forever be stamped as the same old Big XII team that caved. Look at the Florida game. We at the time didn't have the talent to win; JFF wasn't trusted with the offense and rightfully so. And we failed in the second half. And we heard the "same Aggies, different year" from anyone who wanted to throw slings and arrows.

This year was the SEC Effect in full bloom for a team with talent. The simple patch on their shoulder forced them to play with more fire that hadn't been seen for a good long while.

Iron sharpens iron. This will always be true. But you have to find an answer why a team with so many of the same players made such huge strides. I suspect those gains were because they thought they could do it because they simply had to. The were now SEC, and it was the time to put up or shut up for a decade or more.

Just my opines on the subject.