With Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s (supposed) retirement, SEC football may now hold the undisputed standing as the most insecure entity in sports. Each year the same rhetoric leaps from its coaches, predictably needing to convince the world of its unquestioned status as the top conference in all the land. Even upon gaining that unofficial recognition last week — becoming the first league ever with 10 teams ranked in the AP Top 25 poll — the SEC still felt slighted. LSU coach Les Miles said he believed all 14 teams should be ranked, but Arkansas coach Bret Bielema pointed out his team’s exceedingly difficult schedule, as compared with the JV teams defending champion Ohio State will face over the next two months. Bielema had a legitimate point — until the Razorbacks lost to Toledo a few days later. Then, Tennessee blew a 17-point home lead to Oklahoma, confirming the SEC shouldn’t replace the NFC South just yet. Even with three teams falling from the rankings and Auburn nearly upset by Jacksonville State, No. 2 Alabama and No. 15 Mississippi have helped maintain the image of much of the league’s strength. Led by Nick Saban, one of the top college coaches of all-time, the Crimson Tide again appear to have one of the nation’s best rushing attacks and run-stopping units, while the Rebels have scored at least 73 points in each of their first two games. Nevertheless, while Alabama convincingly handled Wisconsin, Ole Miss remains unproven, having avoided eye contact with anyone in the same weight class, defeating Tennessee-Martin and Fresno State…
Continue Reading: Will Alabama get its revenge on Ole Miss? It’s a safe bet
