My only question is: Who can dethrone the Southeastern Conference? I welcome all challengers. As a matter of fact, I am begging for challengers. I am so over watching the most stacked conference in the country stockpile BCS national championships year after year. What fun is that?
I appreciate the richness and depth of the SEC, and I respect its authenticity and tradition, I really do. But I loathe the dominance over NCAA football that the conference has exhibited over the last five years.
A team from the SEC was crowned the BCS National Champion each of the last five years, and the conference has roped in six titles since 2000.
My point: college football needs a change. So who can dethrone the SEC? There are three teams from three different conferences that can do it, and I’ll tell you why:
University of Oregon Ducks (Pac-12)
The Ducks are coming off a national championship defeat to the Cam Newton-led Auburn Tigers, but they have the offensive firepower to get back to the title game. Oregon boasts a high-octane offense that averaged 47 points per game to lead the NCAA in scoring last year and you know they’re capable of throwing at least 40 points on the board on any team on any given night.
Oregon lost its season opener to the No. 3 Louisiana State University, but it has a whole season to climb back up national rankings.
The Pac-12 added two teams with a strong pedigree in the University of Utah Utes and the University of Colorado Buffaloes, which will enhance the strength of schedule for Oregon. What also makes the return to a championship game plausible (barring no other loses and a few blowouts) is the fact that the conference now has a championship game with the addition of the two aforementioned teams. Oregon has an All-American running back in 2010 Heisman Trophy finalist LaMichael James, a stellar quarterback in Darron Thomas, a solid defense, superior coaching and not to mention very awesome jerseys. The Ducks have the goods to dethrone the SEC.
University of Oklahoma Sooners (Big 12)
The Sooners have the same offensive capabilities as Oregon, but they are backed with a much more talented defense. Oklahoma averaged 37 points per game last season to rank 14th in the nation, while it finished ninth defensively in sacks.
Quarterback Landry Jones is ready to compete for a Heisman; but most importantly, he is ready to lead his team back to the title game. Last season, Jones threw more than 4,500 yards, 38 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions. The junior is ready. Even if Oklahoma loses a game, the Sooners can crash SEC’s party.
University of Nebraska Cornhuskers (Big 10)
A first-year member of the Big Ten, the Cornhuskers possess every quality necessary to ward off the SEC from copping another BCS National Championship. Nebraska boasts a stout defense that scored four defensive touchdowns and intercepted 19 passes last year, the eighth-ranked rushing attack in the nation from a year ago and a returning threat at quarterback in Taylor Martinez.
The Cornhuskers are a team on a mission: They are a respected team but are still not mentioned as a top-tier team. So what does a team with their mindset do? Rise to the challenge. And I believe Nebraska is capable of ending the SEC’s parade.
sports@theeagleonline.com
