Here's the Clean Truth: A Rebuttal to the Dirty Secret

Chris Dufresne of the LA Times postulates that the SEC really isn't that strong this year, and gives the following evidence to support his argument:

quote:

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Here's the dirty secret: The SEC really isn't that strong this year. The East Division is OK at the top with Georgia and South Carolina. The rest of the division is a combined 20-24.

The SEC West isn't even that good beyond the top three. Auburn, Mississippi State and Mississippi are a combined 14-19.

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Well, here is my evidence that shows why the SEC is as strong as we think we are.


Breakdown: I took the overall win % of the top, and bottom, three teams in each division, or just the top three teams of the conference if there was no division.

Only the 6 AQ conferences were used.


TOP 3

SEC W - .94 (31-2)
Big 12 - .84 (27-5)
Big 10 Leg. - .79 (26-7)
ACC Coast. - .79 (26-7)
PAC 12 N - .76 (25-8)
SEC E - .73 (24-9)
Big 10 Lead. - .70 (23-10)
ACC Atl. - .67 (22-11)
Big East - .66 (21-11)
PAC 12 S - .64 (21-12)

The SEC's best division is, by far, the best division (or top three) based on overall winning %. The SEC's 2nd best division is better than the top three teams in the division-less Big East and better than the 4 other conferences weaker divisions.


BOTTOM 3

Big East - .47 (14-16)
Big 10 Leg. - .45 (15-18)
ACC Coast. - .45 (15-18)
SEC W - .42 (14-19)
SEC E - .42 (14-19)
Big 12 - .41 (13-19)
Big 10 Lea. - .39 (13-20)
PAC 12 N - .39 (13-20)
PAC 12 S - .36 (12-22)
ACC Atl. - .33 (11-22)

Here we have the SEC's two divisions tied for the 4th best winning % in relation to the weaker end of the spectrum. Mr. Dufresne's Pac-12 teams come in at 7th and 9th, out of 10, respectively.

Which conference has the best overall winning % of the 6 AQ's you ask? Well...

It's the SEC!

SEC - .63 (83-49)
Big 12 - .61 (65-41
Big 10 - .58 (77-55)
Big E - .57 (47-35)
ACC - .56 (74-58)
PAC 12 - .53 (71-62)

My conclusion:

The SEC is as strong as advertised and Chris Dufresne knows this. But, since the SEC has had an historic run over the last few years, and one that should continue through this year, writers in other parts of the country have to find something that they think will stick when they throw it up on the wall. But, rest you heads my little SEC friends, we will not be losing (or loosing, for those from AR) our grip on the throat of NCAA football anytime soon.


*Disclaimer:

This was not an extremely efficient scientifically conducted project - it was merely thrown together in my office while waiting for Thanksgiving Day to arrive. If you find an error, well, I kind of expect it. If you give me a rash of shite for it, well, then frick you.