“The SEC plays at another level that other conference can’t compete with.”
“The SEC is a gaunlet so we have to consider an SEC champion to challenge for the BCS National Championship”
These quotes or different variations of them have been said by “SEC homers” in regards to the mighty SEC. We’ve heard it time and time again: Â “The SEC is too tough only the best of the best can compete in this conference.”
Not so fast my friend.
The Missouri Tigers and Texas A&M Aggies have proven that not only can the Big 12 compete in the SEC, Big 12 teams and their style of play can win the SEC.
Now I know the SEC lovers (including Aggies and Tigers fans) will say the only reason these former Big 12 members are doing well in the SEC is because of the SEC prestige. I call malarkey on that. Â Let’s take a look at some of the stars that the Texas A&M Aggies and the Missouri Tigers have on their team:
- Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M): Committed and signed in the 2011 recruiting class. Texas A&M to the SEC at that point was a rumor at best. He committed to play for a Big 12 team.
- Michael Sam (Mizzou): Was a 2-star out of Texas, committed and signed from the 2009 recruiting class. He committed to play for a Big 12 team.
- Maty Mauk (Mizzou): He committed to the Missouri Tigers in July of 2011. The Tigers didn’t announce that they were joining the SEC until November 6th, 2011. He committed to play for a Big 12 team.
- Mike Evans (Texas A&M):Â This star wide receiver committed to the Aggies in December 2010 and signed in the 2011 recruiting class. He committed to play for a Big 12 team.
You see the picture now? They all wanted to play at the time for a Big 12 team. These players were recruited to play and succeed against Big 12 teams.
So when an SEC homer comes up to you, you show them this article and the records of the Aggies and Tigers in the last 5 years in the Big 12. Then in the politest way possible, you tell them:
The Big 12 can compete and win in the SEC.
