SEC vs. Big 12 seems pretty even on paper

COLUMBIA — In the summer months, there was a lot of preening and posturing in this part of the country about the SEC. Some said it very well could be the best conference in the history of college football.

But, nearing the finish line, it might not even be the best top-to-bottom league in the country. Yes, Big 12, I'm talking about you.

Let's be fair. Let's go team-by-team, to see how it would shake out. Per the current standings, the SEC East will take on the Big 12 South. And the SEC West will match up against the Big 12 North.

Here we go:

Florida (SEC East No. 1) vs. Texas (Big 12 South No. 1, per BCS): Gators. But it's close.

Georgia (East No. 2) vs. Oklahoma (South No. 2): Boomer Sooner. But it's close.

Vanderbilt (East No. 3) vs. Texas Tech (South No. 3): Tech. That's just not fair.

South Carolina (East No. 4) vs. Oklahoma State (South No. 4): Okie State. Be interesting, but Cowboys have too much offense. Who'd solve Dez Bryant?

Kentucky (East No. 5) vs. Baylor (South No. 5): Big Blue. Baylor's better, but not that much better.

Tennessee (East No. 6) vs. Texas A&M (South No. 6): Tennessee. Fancy seeing these teams in the cellar. Vols defense wins this one.

(Halfway through, that's a 3-3 tie.)

Alabama (SEC West No. 1) vs. Missouri (Big 12 North No. 1): Tide. Just too physical for Tigers.

Ole Miss (West No. 2) vs. Nebraska (North No. 2): Ole Miss. Bo Pelini's done a nice job, but Houston Nutt is terrific gameday coach.

LSU (West No. 3) vs. Kansas (North No. 3): Rock Chalk. Jayhawks offense would tax Tigers, who have no QB.

Auburn (West No. 4) vs. Colorado (North No. 4): Ralphie by a horn. Avert your eyes from this one.

Mississippi State (West No. 5) vs. Kansas State (North No. 5): K-State. How would the Bulldogs score?

Arkansas (West No. 6) vs. Iowa State (North No. 6): Hogs. The Cyclones prove that looking like Southern Cal doesn't make you good.

OK, so, add the one and carry the four ... that's 6-6. Dang.

Rock, paper, scissors?

More on the subject

Obviously, it's that close, top to bottom. Even if you switched a game here or there, it would probably split 50-50 more often than not.

Personally, I'd give the Big 12 the slightest of edges.

Couple of reasons.

One, Alabama and Florida are Nos. 1 and 2 in the current AP poll. This is a fact.

But the Tide and Gators didn't play one another in the regular season, unlike the Big 12 teams (Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech) that have jostled around in the top few positions.

And, well, just by seeing that you notice that there are three teams — from the same division, mind you — involved in the top of the Big 12 hunt. It's so tight the BCS standings will have to make the difference.

Also, the fall of typically strong teams from the SEC — namely, Auburn and Tennessee, but also Arkansas — sure makes the conference seem weaker.

Game ball

Jevan Snead, Ole Miss QB: Sometimes he's on, sometimes he's off. He's fantastic when switched on. Like last week when he smoked LSU for a career-high 274 yards and a pair of scores. The Rebels are now thinking Cotton Bowl.

Game of the week

Auburn at No. 1 Alabama (3:30 p.m., WCSC/CBS): Yeah, it's been a terrible year for the Tigers. But this is significant because the Tide can end that horrendous six-game losing streak to Auburn.

Keeping track

Since a lot of teams were off, it's a good time to recognize South Carolina's Stephen Flint of Wando. He's become the steady hand for senior Ryan Succop as the Gamecocks' holder. Succop's shaken midseason woes to hit 6 of 7 kicks in the past three games.

Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com and check out the South Carolina blog at www.charleston.net/blogs/gamecocks.