re: Bill Connelly Ranks the SEC (SBNation)

People base their opinions of the SEC relative to Bama and it's current juggernaught. The reason why tier 2 includes AU and LSU is because they are the two SEC teams, at the moment, perceived,yearly, to have the best chance to compete with Alabama. I think recent success of both those teams and the strength of the West gives them another perception advantage as well. I personally would have UGA and UF in tier 2 as well although I do agree with the sentiment that AU/LSU are usuaslly Bama's toughest opponents due to the recruiting prowess and the way both teams recruit specifically to compete against Bama. I think AU also gets some benefit of doubt, right or wrong, due to multiple recent trips to national championship game and the previous couple seasons losses to Bama were pretty much forgiven by the media even before the game started due to QB injuries. JMO