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The SEC Effect, A&M 2012 Case Study
Posted on 1/5/13 at 9:21 am
Posted on 1/5/13 at 9:21 am
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.
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.
Posted on 1/5/13 at 9:24 am to Jobu93
quote:
The SEC Effect, A&M 2012 Case Study
playing Ala. the week after they got beat up by LSU

Posted on 1/5/13 at 9:26 am to Jobu93
quote:
But you have to find an answer why a team with so many of the same players made such huge strides.
Coaching and conditioning

Posted on 1/5/13 at 9:28 am to Jobu93
I think it had more to do with Manziel & Sumlin than just "wanting it".
Posted on 1/5/13 at 9:31 am to TigerJeff
It's not an SEC effect, it's coaching. And a truly great player. But mostly coaching. (Imagine #2 without the new coaches.)
When the better recruits come in, we can talk about SEC effect.
When the better recruits come in, we can talk about SEC effect.
Posted on 1/5/13 at 9:35 am to elvisleft
last night to me it was more about the defense. They showed up big time.
Posted on 1/5/13 at 12:39 pm to bhart99
quote:
last night to me it was more about the defense. They showed up big time.
Shorthanded too I might add. Starting SDE Julian Obioha was out with stomach problems so FR Alonzo Williams got the start and RSSO Gavin Stansbury saw extensive PT as well.
Posted on 1/5/13 at 12:41 pm to Jobu93
It was all about Manziel and an impressive O-Line.
Auburn had a similar phenomenon the Cam season.
Auburn had a similar phenomenon the Cam season.
Posted on 1/5/13 at 12:51 pm to wmr
The real SEC effect comes in when you play against another "good" team. TAMU has played against several good teams this year. When they played OU, it was taking a step down.
OU hasn't played against any good teams. They weren't ready even if they were a good team. Playing good teams makes you better and is the only way to get ready to play other good teams.
Just think about it in terms of blocking adjustments on an offensive line:
If you are playing subpar defenses and beating them up, the only adjustment you ever make is a "yea, I own this guy- don't need a chip, go get backer." When you play against good defenses, you have to really be on your game. You have to learn how to adjust in meaningful ways. It's easy to adjust down. It's hard to adjust up.
OU hasn't played against any good teams. They weren't ready even if they were a good team. Playing good teams makes you better and is the only way to get ready to play other good teams.
Just think about it in terms of blocking adjustments on an offensive line:
If you are playing subpar defenses and beating them up, the only adjustment you ever make is a "yea, I own this guy- don't need a chip, go get backer." When you play against good defenses, you have to really be on your game. You have to learn how to adjust in meaningful ways. It's easy to adjust down. It's hard to adjust up.
Posted on 1/5/13 at 1:32 pm to Jobu93
quote:
The simple patch on their shoulder forced them to play with more fire that hadn't been seen for a good long while
WTF? explain Mizzou, Kentucky, and Auburn then? Think a new coach and a Heisman winning QB might have more to do with it?
Look i think aTm did a great job and am happy for their success. If they were motivated by bieng in the SEC, thats great. But I dont think being an SEC team has that much to do with it.
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