#104 Posted: 11/18/2009 12:07:33 PM First, let’s look at results when only using bowl game records from teams who were members of the SEC or ACC when the bowl game was played:
Now let’s see what their overall records look like when you take the teams that are currently affiliated with the ACC and SEC and compile their bowl game records, no matter if they were a member or not of the ACC or SEC at the time of the bowl game. An important thing to understand about this, is that this set of criteria allows the ACC to count the Miami, Florida State, Virginia Tech, and Boston College results — even when they were not members of the ACC.
So the ACC is really benefiting from the success of these teams when they were not members, especially Miami and FSU. This advantage is even more clear when you note that the ACC only participated in 166 bowl games when count those four teams, as opposed to 283 when they are counted. That is a staggering 117 game increase in bowl game appearances, only 49 games less than the combined bowl game appearance of all the other ACC teams.
So here are the results:
The evidence supports that the ACC and its fan base suffer from a massive inferiority complex. They want to run with the big dogs. They want to be a big dog.
The only problem with that aspiration is that it will always be just an aspiration until they “WIN” and, not only win, but “WIN” against the best.
Nothing better defines the ACC’s inability to compete with the best than their overall bowl record during the last two seasons and their overall Bowl Championship Series bowl game record.
The ACC’s bowl record during the 2007-2008 season was a miserable 2-6, while the SEC was 7-2. In the 2008-2009 season, the ACC choked yet again and recorded a 4-6 record while the SEC went 6-2. It should also be noted that the SEC won the BCS national championship during both of these seasons.
When it comes to the ACC and the BCS, the picture is even worse.
The BCS was created in an effort to ensure the top teams from the top conferences across the nation were playing each other at the end of the year to determine the national champion. It was also created to better define the top teams in the country each year.
Since the inception of the BCS, all the ACC has done is compile a 2-9 (.182) record and fell flat on its face when playing the big boys from across the country. Of the ACC’s two wins, Virginia Tech beat the “mighty” Cincinnati Bearcats last year and FSU beat Virginia Tech in 1999.
The SEC, on the other hand, holds an all-time BCS bowl record of 12-5 (.706). During that time, the SEC boasted five national championships to the ACC’s one title.
The SEC not only dominates on the field, but they dominate off the field, as well.
Who has the best and largest stadiums? The SEC!
Who has the largest fan base? The SEC!
Who has had more hall of fame quality coaches coaching for it in the past and today? The SEC!
Who has the higher combined athletic department revenue? The SEC!
Who has the bigger TV contract? The SEC!
Who has the best tailgating? The SEC!
Which conference has the most players on NFL rosters? The SEC!
Which conference boasts the most starters in the NFL as of 2008? The SEC!
Which conference has the richest tradition? The SEC!
And finally, which conference do all other conferences envy? That’s right, the SEC!
The debate? There is no debate. And there won’t be one until the ACC puts together a credible resume both on and off the field.
Right now the SEC is the cream of the crop, and the ACC is just a wannabe.
So if this rubs you the wrong way, ACC fans and institutions, and it is obvious that it does, then all you have to do is “WIN”. Win a lot. Win consistently. Win on and of the field. Win when it counts.
That is when there will be grounds for debate. Until then, the SEC is the winner in a landslide and until proven otherwise. |