Why I Have Come to Despise the SEC

Oregon vs Arizona Sate
Originally uploaded by pete4ducks.

A few years ago I really enjoyed watching SEC games but the conference is seriously starting to bug me and I don't think I am alone here. Here is why I think they are making a mockery of the game by deftly taking advantage of some regional advantages and exploiting the BCS system which benefits their schools a great deal but isn't that great for the fans or players.

1. Cream-puff scheduling - Congratulations Georgia you are the sole SEC team who played a Top 25 ranked non-SEC team on the road this season. I'll give Alabama some credit for playing Va Tech at a neutral site (though they have a decided home field advantage) and Vanderbilt gets credit for inviting Georgia Tech to their house. The SEC has figured out that with their love from the media and the perceived strength of the conference that there is no reason to challenge themselves outside of the conference. I'll give Tennessee credit for scheduling UCLA, Cal and Oregon in a 6 year span but going 1-3 has probably made them to rethink the idea of playing good out of conference competition.

2. Crooked refs - I mean for anyone who watched the Florida game versus Arkansas does this even need to be argued? And this is just one of about 5 games this year in the SEC that could be argued were swung by creative officiating that seemed to favor certain teams.

3. Scheduling I-AA or Sun Belt teams in November. Thanks jerks like I really want to see Alabama play UT-Chatanooga. November is for rivalry games and intriguing conference match-ups (see the Pac 10 for example). It is not for glorified scrimmages. If I was a season ticket holder I would be livid about this trend. If the Ducks decide to bring in PSU the week before the Civil War I'd be irate.

4. Can anyone please explain to me why Florida and Alabama haven't played each other in the regular season the last two years? I mean it isn't hard SEC you play a 8 game schedule - you play your 5 division teams every season that means you can play the other 6 teams every other year alternating sites. Seems fairly cut and dry to me. Oh but wait that would mean that it would be harder for Bama and Florida to go through the season undefeated if they had to play each-other wouldn't it?

Memo to the SEC you and the BCS that you control are making the sport less exciting but keep making that money.