re: SEC academics

There are so many factors, the biggest of which is the public education at the elementary and high school levels in these states have always lagged behind. State schools can't just turn their backs on the students within their own state, so when they're pulling 60-70% of their students from a state already lagging behind other regions, it's hard to bring the reputation up. Schools like Michigan and Virginia(from your example) are able to recruit more nationally, both because of higher standards that shut out some state students, and reputation.

I know Bama has ramped up their out of state recruiting over the past decade. But until the state improves its public education at the lower levels, it's never going to be a prestigious university. Still a good school with some great programs, but never one that can be that selective in who they accept.