The conference laid a dud in the college football bowl season, then turns around and does it again in March Madness.
Some would argue that the conference beats itself up during the regular season, and annual viewership in football suggests that no one is unhappy with the in-season product, but why are we seeing some recency trends of the conference not showing up in the postseason? Are we truly overrated, or is there something more to it? Has NIL tipped in favor towards the B1G so much that we are seeing the beginning of the big money taking over big tradition?
Discuss.
I think your last statement says it all.
Yeah, I know it’s the joke at our expense, but once everyone can pay players, it levels the playing field in a hurry. Just find a willing billionaire, a competent coach, and some hungry players.
Way too much money out there. If you can’t earn it, just buy it. College sports is beyond gone!!! So sad. 😢😢😢
Cash is King is nothing new in sports. Baseball another pro sport without a salary cap is dominated by the big money teams. Expect the best players to follow the money it’s free market capitalism at work.
Seems like when the competition catches up, the ‘iron-sharpens-iron’ mantra changes to ‘we’re beating each other up’.
Maybe now that there’s serious money on the table, the kids are showing they’ve become more savvy about their choices. Either schools put up the financial numbers to compete, or they can resort to complaints and excuses.
We’ve never been the top basketball conference but our mantle as best football conference has definitely been removed & now resides in despicable big 1? conference. Is it just money? Don’t know. The SEC is no longer king.
We have recent natties and 10 of 16 in the tournament when we used to only send Kentucky. NIL has leveled the playing field. B1G is current but far from dominant. It’s a cycle not a trend.
Under current conditions, the conference (SEC) is overrated. Mediocre. It hurts. Own it. Pony up the $$ or STFU.