SEC is Becoming NFL Junior

[BigSteve09]

To paraphrase a poker cliche, if you look at your schedule and can't identify the cupcake, you are the cupcake.

I enjoy what you did here

 

[knucklehead_vol]

If we're basing this assumption on TALENT top to bottom, the SEC is still leaps and bounds ahead of the Pac12.

You could make the argument that the Pac12 had the better coaches during the last 6-8 years (they're all successful in the NFL now). You could make the argument that the college teams are more competitive week in and week out, but if you look at the talent that's gone to the NFL in the last 10 years, it's SEC heavy.

They've caught up.

 

[Boca Vol]

Good thread.

Has anyone ever considered that SEC recruiting may be skewed based on the coverage of the geographical areas being recruited and the fact that SEC fans probably make up the majority of those who subscribe to recruiting services? Or am I crazy for considering such a conspiracy?

I think you're absolutely correct. I think it goes even further (in basketball especially) to what apparel company the school uses and their affiliation to the AAU teams.

That may sound like a conspiracy theory but those publications need to sell subscriptions and advertising.

Yes, they are skewed.

 

[salutethehill]

I don't know if this is still true, but a couple of years ago there were more SEC players on opening day NFL rosters than every other conference combined.

 

[BigSteve09]

They've caught up.

2013:
2013 NFL Draft by conference: SEC doubles the competition

SEC (63)

Pac-12 (28)

2012:
2012 NFL Draft Picks By College Conference: SEC, Big Ten Lead The Way

Pac-12: 28

SEC: 42

2011:
2011 NFL Draft Results: SEC Tops Picks By Conference List

Pac-10: 31.

SEC: 38.

2010:
2010 NFL Draft By Conference

The trend continues on down the road. If anything, the SEC is distancing itself from the competition.

 

[bowlinggreenvol]

Georgia Southern...you know what I meant, I'm well into a few drinks.

So, the non-conference losses to Top 25 teams and non-Top 25 teams are because the conference is a powerhouse?

It's not hard to look at the level of talent in the SEC this year and come to the conclusion that the SEC has seen much, much better days in past years. The SEC is down this year. It is top heavy with Alabama and Alabama is most likely the best team in the nation. However, the second, third, and fourth best teams in the SEC (Auburn, Mizzou, and LSU, in my opinion) are not teams that I would bet on to beat Stanford, UCLA, Oregon, Oklahoma State, Baylor, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Clemson, Duke (yes, Duke), etc. That would have not been the case a few years ago, with those Georgia, South Carolina, and LSU squads.

UCLA blows. They've yet to beat any team of consequence in the PAC 12 under Mora. They may finish 4th at best in the SEC this year.

I also believe Oregon loses to Bama and LSU if not more. USCjr and Mizzou are better than Zona and they wiped the floor with Oregon.

 

[therealUT]

2013:
2013 NFL Draft by conference: SEC doubles the competition


2012:
2012 NFL Draft Picks By College Conference: SEC, Big Ten Lead The Way


2011:
2011 NFL Draft Results: SEC Tops Picks By Conference List


2010:
2010 NFL Draft By Conference

The trend continues on down the road. If anything, the SEC is distancing itself from the competition.

Looking at starters in the NFL is a much better measuring stick. Comparing starters in the NFL to draft picks is even better. If it turns out that a higher percentage of PAC-12 (or, PAC-10) players drafted end up starting than do SEC players, then that might suggest the talent in the SEC is inflated. I'm not going to do the leg work on this, but feel free to do it yourself and report the results.

 

[therealUT]

UCLA blows. They've yet to beat any team of consequence in the PAC 12 under Mora. They may finish 4th at best in the SEC this year.

So, UCLA blows, but you think it plausible that they would finish 4th out of 14 teams in the SEC. Currently, UCLA stands at 5th in the PAC-12 (out of, well, 12 teams). So, your statement and argument serves what purpose, again?

 

[BigSteve09]

Looking at starters in the NFL is a much better measuring stick. Comparing starters in the NFL to draft picks is even better. If it turns out that a higher percentage of PAC-12 (or, PAC-10) players drafted end up starting than do SEC players, then that might suggest the talent in the SEC is inflated. I'm not going to do the leg work on this, but feel free to do it yourself and report the results.

lol I might sit down and do that when I have some off time later this week. Too busy at work to chomp on those numbers.

 

[BigSteve09]

Here's a good start, I guess:

Which college football program produces most NFL talent? - NFL.com

2013 Pro Bowl rosters by college, conference: SEC, ACC lead the way - SBNation.com

From 2008:
Where Do NFL Starters Go To College?

 

[BigSteve09]

College teams that have produced 10 or more NFL starters...

1. Georgia-24
2. Miami-23
3. FSU-21
4. Tennessee-20
5. USC-20
6. Texas-20
7. Alabama-19
8. LSU-19
9. Cal-17
10. Ohio State-14
11. Ole Miss-13
12. Wisc-12
13. Oklahoma-12
14. North Carolina-12
15. Illinois-12
16. Maryland-12
17. Virginia-12
18. Auburn-11
19. Ga Tech-11
20. Nebraska-11
21. Utah-11
22. UCLA-11
23. Michigan-10
24. Iowa-10
25. Oregon-10
26. NC State-10
27. South Carolina-10
28. Florida-10
29. VT-10

off of that list, roughly:
SEC: 107
Pac12: 69

Obviously there are schools not accounted for that have less than 10 starters, but the gap would probably stay the same.