re: SEC academics

It is just something that takes time. A lot of these states did not have a long legacy of academics. Also, the purpose of the schools isn't to attract smart kids from out of state, educate them, and send them somewhere else. It is a service to the state and honestly much of the south wasn't known for high school education for a long time. But I think you are seeing some of the schools (Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Bama, aTm, Missouri, etc.) really gaining steam.