I suppose I can sort of understand complaining about all conferences other than the SEC playing less conference matchups each year (this really depends on how you view the bottom teams of the conference. Some could argue that they would rather play 9 of the 10 Pac-10 schools rather than 7 of the top 10 SEC schools and either the 11th or 12th team, because only a lucky couple or few usually get to play both...). From my understanding, however, the Pac-10 chose the format recently and willingly, so I don't really see how anyone from the Pac-10 can complain about it.
Home games may be easier, but SEC schools hardly want to play many OOC away games since SEC schools generally have larger stadiums than just about anybody they are playing OOC (and thus bring in more money). We have 6 of the top 12 regular college stadiums, so we generally have a little pull when it comes to home games. It may not be entirely fair, but I doubt that many in charge are scrambling to change it when it might result in fiscal loss.
I guess what I don't understand is the strength of conference argument. While having the most National Champions doesn't exactly prove we have a strong conference overall, and it is POSSIBLE that all of these teams are basically "One Hit Wonders," I think it's a bit naive to immediately jump to that conclusion. I mean, I suppose it's not end-all proof, but it does strongly support our argument that the SEC is balanced. And though I don't have proof that the SEC is the best on average from top-to-bottom, do you have proof that the Pac-10 is? Actually, do you have any argument at all for the Pac-10 being the best?
I guess the best way to put it is: What is your argument exactly?
If your argument is that we can't prove that the SEC is the best from top to bottom, I agree. We can't prove it. But that's not going to stop us from hypothesizing that we are.
If your argument is that the SEC should play less cupcakes and less home games, I agree (for the most part). I don't think we should be held to a higher standard than everyone else, but I do think some of the teams in the conference, generally about half of them, schedule too many home games or OOC teams that are way too easy (Tennesse, in my opinion, did not fall into either of those categories this year). I think the cupcake problem is a lot bigger than the home game problem, mostly because home game advantages for the most part only largely affect games played between teams of near equal skill. But this problem can be seen throughout almost all AQ conferences.
If your argument is that the Pac-10 IS the best conference from top to bottom, I disagree. I obviously can't prove they aren't, but I don't think anyone could prove that they are.
If your argument is anything else... I don't really get it.
