Has the SEC lost it's mojo?

[LudicrousSpeedGO!]

They always seem to get the benefit of the doubt in the polls and they reinforce that by beating other SEC teams during the season that are also supposedly high ranking. But look at their performance against other conferences this year perhaps highlighted by the Indiana absolute blowout of Alabama. Are they now a step behind?​

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2025-26 Bowl Game Records by Conference​

Overall Performance​

Big Ten	13	9-4	.692
ACC	12	8-4	.667
Conference USA	7	4-3	.571
American	9	5-4	.556
Big 12	8	4-4	.500
Sun Belt	10	4-6	.400
MAC	5	2-3	.400
SEC	13	4-9	.308
Mountain West	7	2-5	.286

 

[RickinDayton]

They always seem to get the benefit of the doubt in the polls and they reinforce that by beating other SEC teams during the season that are also supposedly high ranking. But look at their performance against other conferences this year perhaps highlighted by the Indiana absolute blowout of Alabama. Are they now a step behind?​

​

2025-26 Bowl Game Records by Conference​

Overall Performance​

Big Ten	13	9-4	.692
ACC	12	8-4	.667
Conference USA	7	4-3	.571
American	9	5-4	.556
Big 12	8	4-4	.500
Sun Belt	10	4-6	.400
MAC	5	2-3	.400
SEC	13	4-9	.308
Mountain West	7	2-5	.286

I put very little stock in the bowl records for the last few years with so many opt outs.

 

[LudicrousSpeedGO!]

The SEC had 5 of 12 playoff slots. The only team they collectively beat that wasn't a different SEC team was Tulane! I'm sorry, but the SEC needs to be downgraded in the polls going forward. They have fallen hard. I get saying their second to lowest bowl performance could be affected by opt outs (all teams dealt with this though) but their playoff performance went from bad the last few years to abysmal this year.

 

[sr108]

I put very little stock in the bowl records for the last few years with so many opt outs.

These things are cyclical. Add in NIL and the portal and nothing is near what it once was.

 

[LionDeNittany]

They always seem to get the benefit of the doubt in the polls and they reinforce that by beating other SEC teams during the season that are also supposedly high ranking. But look at their performance against other conferences this year perhaps highlighted by the Indiana absolute blowout of Alabama. Are they now a step behind?​

​

2025-26 Bowl Game Records by Conference​

Overall Performance​

Big Ten	13	9-4	.692
ACC	12	8-4	.667
Conference USA	7	4-3	.571
American	9	5-4	.556
Big 12	8	4-4	.500
Sun Belt	10	4-6	.400
MAC	5	2-3	.400
SEC	13	4-9	.308
Mountain West	7	2-5	.286

Now that pay is legitimate, the SEC doesn't have the money to compete.

 

[NittanyLion99]

Now that pay is legitimate, the SEC doesn't have the money to compete.

^^^ THIS ^^^ The B2G has long had more money than the SEC. Now that those resources are unlocked, the SEC has lost their [illicit] competitive advantage. In the long run, the SEC may struggle to compete with the B2G.

Love it or hate it, the B2G has put together a nearly national footprint which includes most of the major media markets(NY, Chicago, LA, Philly, Seattle, DC, Indianapolis, Minneapolis.) The SEC has chosen to remain more regional. Look at this map. It's pretty abysmal. Atlanta, NOLA, Nashville, & Louisville are the biggest historical markets. Imagine if they hadn't brought in the Big12 teams to add St Louis, KC, OKC, Houston, Dallas. If the B2G manages to add ND it's over. If they also add UNC and a FL team, forget about it.