UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- There are a lot of folks around the Big Ten who get fed up with the claim that the SEC is a far and away better conference, and that college football is a much bigger deal down there.
The SEC seems to make that claim with the whole "it just means more" slogan that has been popularized since 2016. Here's what SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said about the league's ad campaign that began six years ago:
“It’s a common theme that the SEC is well known for athletic success but there is so much more to the story of our conference. Through our work with the Richards Group we will show the other side of the SEC – one of history, legacy and an overall positive impact on our people, our communities, our state and our nation.”
All of that is actually a respectable mission, if you take it for what Sankey said. But let's be real here: Most people around the nation view the "it just means more" thing as the SEC snubbing its nose at everybody else by bragging about how much better football is in that league.
Is that true?
Well ... yeah.
The past three national champions have come from the SEC. And five of the past seven. And 12 of the past 16. Here's the breakdown since 2006, with non-SEC teams getting the (*):
2021: Georgia
2020: Alabama
2019: LSU
*2018: Clemson
2017: Alabama
*2016: Clemson
2015: Alabama
*2014: Ohio State
*2013: Florida State
2012: Alabama
2011: Alabama
2010: Auburn
2009: Alabama
2008: Florida
2007: LSU
2006: Florida
Overall, SEC teams have claimed 42 national titles, while the Big Ten has 41. But clearly the pendulum has swung heavily in the SEC's favor over the past decade and a half.
A lot of fans around the Big Ten get tired of hearing about Alabama, Georgia and the SEC all the time. Just like a lot of fans around the NFL got tired of hearing about the Patriots, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick during their dynasty.
There is, without question, a jealousy factor in play.
Beyond that, so many college football fans in the Big Ten and from around the country love to claim: The SEC is sooooo overrated!!!
There are, of course, times when that is definitely true. And without question, there is an SEC bias in the rankings system that typically gives teams from that league the benefit of the doubt.
But we also have to be honest with ourselves in all this stuff and just consider the numbers. They are numbers, I'll warn Big Ten fans up front, that are not very pretty.
There is a fantastic site called mcubed.net that tracks head-to-head conference records. Let's dive into the SEC vs. Big Ten numbers from that site (all stats entering this season):
* SEC teams are 101-68-2 (59.6) all-time against Big Ten teams
* SEC teams are 62-34 (64.6) all-time against Big Ten teams in bowl games, including 41-24 this century
Penn State is 24-24 all-time against the SEC, and as members of the Big Ten, the Lions have gone 8-6.
Broken down by decades, the SEC has been the better league for quite some time.
* 2020s: SEC is 5-3 against Big Ten (5-2 in bowls)
* 2010s: SEC went 29-17 against Big Ten (22-10 in bowls)
* 2000s: SEC went 18-15 against Big Ten (14-12 in bowls)
* 1990s: SEC went 16-11 against Big Ten (10-7 in bowls)
* 1980s: SEC went 17-5-1 against Big Ten (10-2 in bowls)
* 1970s: SEC went 5-7 against Big Ten, making this the last decade the Big Ten had a winning record
FIVE FROM FRANKLIN
The most important topics James Franklin discussed during his Tuesday press conference.
1. Auburn is a different kind of opponent than Penn State faced the first two weeks. Purdue threw the ball a ton, and Ohio focused more on the pass, but Auburn is a run-first team.
That's great news to linebacker Curtis Jacobs, who had this to say Tuesday about facing a running team:
“This is the first test we’re going to get from a team that likes to run the ball. I feel like this is the game you want to be a part of as a linebacker, being able to come downhill, strike and get those tackles.
“You didn’t come to Penn State as a linebacker to watch somebody play 7-on-7 against you," Jacobs added.
Franklin had a funny revelation about Jacobs when told of the linebacker's comments.
"It's interesting that Curtis said that," Franklin said. "When we recruited him, his dad, we had a bunch of heated arguments that he was a wide receiver. It's interesting that this has kind of moved to this point. I love that Curtis is approaching it that way, because I think he does have the right mentality that we need at LBU. But also has the athleticism to make the plays in the passing game, based on his background."
Auburn ran for 182 yards in last year's meeting, with Tank Bigsby going for 102 yards and two TDs on 23 carries.
The Tigers have a lot of question marks in their passing game, so it should be obvious -- sort of like playing against Wisconsin -- that Penn State's defense has to be fully ready to stop the run.
"I think that approach this week, not just with Curtis, but with our entire front seven, defensive line, defensive tackles and our entire linebacking corps will be tested this week," Franklin said. "Not just the run game, but also the complementary play-action passes that will put those guys in conflict and some of the RPO stuff, as well."
2. Auburn had to face Penn State's hostile environment in last year's whiteout game, and this time around the Lions will have to be ready for the craziness at Jordan-Hare Stadium, which will have an orange out.
"It's going to be a challenge," Franklin said. "This is their orange out. We listen to all their press conferences and watched all those things, talked to a lot of people that have played there and been a part of that environment. I've been there before, as well, and played there before. Getting our players prepared for what that will look like and what that's going to be (is a key)."
Preparation for the hostile environment actually began last week, as Franklin pointed out the team worked on silent counts to be ready for the crowd noise.
There's also the aspect of getting ready for other aspects of playing in the tough SEC stadium.
"We'll show them some pictures of what the locker room will look like, what the stadium will look like, show some videos," Franklin said. "Obviously, the War Eagle before the game. You know, the band. The scoreboard side of the end zone has been problematic."
3. Left tackle Olu Fashanu has gotten off to a good start, even if some others on the offensive line have had some issues (namely right tackle Caedan Wallace).
Franklin had all kinds of positive things to say about Fashanu.
"He's playing really well," the coach said. "We've had a ton of respect for Olu really since he stepped on campus. He's one of those high-production, low-maintenance guys that really does everything right.
"You talk to the academic people about him, they love him. He's done everything right since he stepped on campus. You talk to strength and conditioning, the trainers, equipment staff, just Olu is one of those guys. He just goes about his business. He does everything the right way; extremely focused. His play strength is exceptional.
"There are times, whether it's in games or practice, where one of our defensive ends or somebody will put a good move on him and catch him, and he's able to recover with his play strength. It's really impressive. He's just consistent. I think you've heard me talk about this. I know the team has ad-nauseum. That's the difference at this level. The guys that consistently can do it."
4. Drew Allar's progress has obviously been impressive, with the true freshman coming off the bench and making a lot of things happen in the 46-10 rout of Ohio.
How much will Allar play this week? Well, perhaps not at all, depending on how the game goes and if the coaches feel he's ready and if the right situation arises.
Still, Allar keeps doing all the right things internally to prepare himself to play, whenever the occasion does arise.
"We all knew that he had the physical traits and skills to be successful, but I think he's done a really good job of learning how to prepare, how to study the game," Franklin said. "I think Sean has had a big impact on that, as well. Obviously, Coach (Mike) Yurcich (too).
"He's done a nice job. I think he's already at a point where the game has slowed down to him a little bit and he's able to anticipate what's going to happen from a coverage perspective or from a pressure perspective. He's doing some nice things that we have been able to build on, and we're going to need to continue to build on."
5. Managing quarterbacks in this era of the transfer portal is going to be challenging. Christian Veilleux is now the third-stringer, and Franklin was asked how he goes about keeping all of the quarterbacks engaged.
"I think in general, across the country, it's a challenge in college football," Franklin said. "There is no doubt about it. But at the end of the day, you just have to manage your team and people appropriately and have to have honest conversations and tell people where they are at.
"You hope people will have patience to battle and compete, because there are a bunch of stories and examples of guys that have stuck it out and competed and it's worked out well for them and the team. There are less and less of those stories in college football because of some of the new rules and dynamics that are there. At the end of the day, you just want to be as transparent, direct, and honest as you possibly can, and hopefully be able to have the type of relationships with them and their parents that the conversation and communication is a two-way street, so that they can make great decisions and so you can be aware of what's going on."
