Talent Gap in B12/SEC vs The Rest

[SamsB]

It's pretty amazing how much more talent the B12 and SEC has over the rest of the conferences. Go back and look at the first 10 or 20 picks in the NFL draft for the last 5 years (you could probably go 10 years). Dominated by B12/SEC. With RG3, Tann, and Blackmon this year, it's just more of the same.

I think it's time we all start respecting the talent we have on our team as we play one of the toughest schedules in one of the toughest conferences, year in/year out. CPR needs to continue upgrading the talent of our recruits, but I like how we've been trending up since he's been here.

[clonomaniac]

SEC >>> BIG 12

[SCarolinaCy]

It's pretty amazing how much more talent the B12 and SEC has over the rest of the conferences. Go back and look at the first 10 or 20 picks in the NFL draft for the last 5 years (you could probably go 10 years). Dominated by B12/SEC. With RG3, Tann, and Blackmon this year, it's just more of the same.

I think it's time we all start respecting the talent we have on our team as we play one of the toughest schedules in one of the toughest conferences, year in/year out. CPR needs to continue upgrading the talent of our recruits, but I like how we've been trending up since he's been here.

I think the point you are making can best be described as ISU is playing AGAINST the top talent year after year.

[PabloDiablo]

I will probably be hung for this but I thought I saw something recently that said the Big 10 was second to the SEC in placing guys on NFL rosters. I can see your point about the Big 12 having several guys in the top 10-20, but the B1G puts a lot dudes into the NFL as much as I hate to say it.

Edit: Now that I look it up for 2011 it looks like SEC:38, ACC:35, PAC:31, B12:30 and B1G:29

[Cycl1]

I will probably be hung for this but I thought I saw something recently that said the Big 10 was second to the SEC in placing guys on NFL rosters. I can see your point about the Big 12 having several guys in the top 10-20, but the B1G puts a lot dudes into the NFL as much as I hate to say it.

If i give you rope will you do it yourself? feeling lazy today.

[Clones85']

Talent gap has really only shown in the NFL draft the last 3 years.

Big 12 has had 24 first round picks in the last 3 years and the Big 10 has had 13.

[kberyldial]

These numbers are pre-last years draft, so some what dated but you get the point.

NFL Players by School (Active) Rank School No. Active Players 1 Texas 41 2 LSU 40 3 Miami 40 4 USC 39 5 Ohio State 39 6 Michigan 36 7 Florida 36 8 Georgia 35 9 California 33 10 Tennessee 32 11 Penn State 30 12 Florida State 30 13 Iowa 30 14 Nebraska 27 15 Oklahoma 27 16 Alabama 26 17 Auburn 26 18 Notre Dame 25 19 Michigan State 25 20 Georgia Tech 23 21 Maryland 22 22 Oregon 22 23 Virginia Tech 22 24 Purdue 21 25 Fresno State 21

[Cyclonestate78]

The thing that makes it appear that the talent gap in the SEC & BIG XII is so far ahead of the other conferences is the guys that these conferences are putting in the NFL. The BIG XII & SEC are putting QB's, WR's, RB's into the NFL. Guys like RG3, Adrian Petersen, Justin Blackmon, AJ Green, Julio Jones, Tim Tebow, Aaron Hernandez, etc... are athletic freaks at skill positions. The B1G is putting out a lot of OL, DL, LB, and DB's into the NFL. Sure they put out some offensive players as well but not of the same caliber as the BIG XII or SEC.

I don't necessarily think that the BIG XII & SEC have an overall superior talent level compared to some of the other conferences but it is easier to notice some of these freakishly good athletes compared to say a dominant offensive lineman or a solid LB.

Examples...

Chad Greenway has been doing great things for the Vikings at linebacker and Jake Long is an absolute mauler on the OL for the Dolphins but you won't hear nearly as much about them as you will about RG3 or AJ Green. Fans appreciate defense and line play but they LOVE skill position players.

[hawkfan]

I don't necessarily think that the BIG XII & SEC have an overall superior talent level compared to some of the other conferences but it is easier to notice some of these freakishly good athletes compared to say a dominant offensive lineman or a solid LB.

This is pretty accurate.

The SEC is miles ahead of anyone, and that is primarily because of the way they can (illegally) recruit. The Big Ten has 2 (maybe 3 if you include PSU) programs that recruit @ an "elite" level consistently. The Big 12 has 2 (Texas & OU) that are consistently elite in recruiting. The SEC arguably has 5 programs (Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Florida, & LSU) that recruit at an "elite" level consistently. Heck, since Spurrier has gotten there, you may be able to include South Carolina as a 6th.

They start out with the most talent & they have the best coaches - its pretty tough to compete with that. Look at the last 3 years scout recruiting team rankings and you'll see my point (number of schools in top 15):

2012: SEC: 6 Big 12: 2 Big 10: 2
2011: SEC: 6 Big 12: 2 Big 10: 1
2010: SEC: 5 Big 12: 2 Big 10: 2

Obviously UM's decline is the reason they didn't get in the top 10 in 2011, but they have been on fire recruiting this year, so I'd expect them to get back to being a mainstay in the top 10 or so.

Until other conferences can start recruiting at the SEC's level, they will continue to dominate.

[brett108]

This is pretty accurate.

The SEC is miles ahead of anyone, and that is primarily because of the way they can (illegally) recruit. The Big Ten has 2 (maybe 3 if you include PSU) programs that recruit @ an "elite" level consistently. The Big 12 has 2 (Texas & OU) that are consistently elite in recruiting. The SEC arguably has 5 programs (Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Florida, & LSU) that recruit at an "elite" level consistently. Heck, since Spurrier has gotten there, you may be able to include South Carolina as a 6th.

They start out with the most talent & they have the best coaches - its pretty tough to compete with that. Look at the last 3 years scout recruiting team rankings and you'll see my point (number of schools in top 15):

2012: SEC: 6 Big 12: 2 Big 10: 2
2011: SEC: 6 Big 12: 2 Big 10: 1
2010: SEC: 5 Big 12: 2 Big 10: 2

Obviously UM's decline is the reason they didn't get in the top 10 in 2011, but they have been on fire recruiting this year, so I'd expect them to get back to being a mainstay in the top 10 or so.

Until other conferences can start recruiting at the SEC's level, they will continue to dominate.

The problem is largely logistical. Most of your top ranked prospects hail from the deep south, Texas, and California. The SEC has proximity to most of those recruits, and the prestige cache to throw around.

[hawkfan]

The problem is largely logistical. Most of your top ranked prospects hail from the deep south, Texas, and California. The SEC has proximity to most of those recruits, and the prestige cache to throw around.

I agree...the solution is having a coach that is good enough at recruiting to pull that southern talent to the Big 10/Northern Big 12, though that is much easier said than done.

[Gonzo]

These numbers are pre-last years draft, so some what dated but you get the point.

NFL Players by School (Active) Rank School No. Active Players 1 Texas 41 2 LSU 40 3 Miami 40 4 USC 39 5 Ohio State 39 6 Michigan 36 7 Florida 36 8 Georgia 35 9 California 33 10 Tennessee 32 11 Penn State 30 12 Florida State 30 13 Iowa 30 14 Nebraska 27 15 Oklahoma 27 16 Alabama 26 17 Auburn 26 18 Notre Dame 25 19 Michigan State 25 20 Georgia Tech 23 21 Maryland 22 22 Oregon 22 23 Virginia Tech 22 24 Purdue 21 25 Fresno State 21

Yep. I think it's a bit misleading to talk about a talent gap between the Big 12 and most other BCS conferences, when the vast majority of that Big 12 talent resides at two of its schools.

[VeloClone]

Yep. I think it's a bit misleading to talk about a talent gap between the Big 12 and most other BCS conferences, when the vast majority of that Big 12 talent resides at two of its schools.

I think you are correct. The one caveat is that all of those Nebraska players were Big 12 players.

[dualthreat]

SEC >>> BIG 12

the big 12 went 33-5 in non conference games last year (including bowl games)

and the big 12 ranks 1st All-time with 14 teams finishing in the top 4 of the BCS standings

more heisman winners in the BCS era than any other league

[Cincyclone]

SEC >>>>>>>> everyone else