In a dominance hierarchy, alpha predators sometimes must re-establish superiority.
Alphas demonstrate raw power and killer instinct to assert their place in the hierarchy when challengers offer threats.
The Southeastern Conference has been at the top of the college football food chain for decades. But the SEC’s dominance has been threatened.
Big Ten teams Michigan and Ohio State won the last two national championships. Last season, the Big Ten was 4-1 vs. the SEC in postseason games.
Overall, the SEC was just 8-7 in postseason games. That’s not too alarming because teams’ top players often sit out bowl games.
But the SEC was also 1-2 vs. the Big Ten in regular-season games. Overall, the SEC went 11-7 vs. Power Four opponents. That’s not bad, but it hardly qualifies as dominant.
Indeed, the SEC’s place in the dominance hierarchy was even challenged by Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos, who will lead the Seminoles against Alabama on Saturday.
Last summer, Castellanos disrespected Alabama, which in turn disrespects the SEC.
“I’ve dreamed of playing against Alabama. They don't have (former coach) Nick Saban to save them,” Castellanos said. “I just don't see them stopping me.”
This came from a 5-foot-9 transfer from Boston College, who passed for 1,366 yards last season. He even threw two interceptions in a 27-21 loss to Missouri of the SEC.
By the way, Florida State was 2-10 last season.
Alabama defensive end LT Overton said the Tide defense has a specific goal in mind when facing Castellanos: “We want to make sure he doesn’t want the ball in his hands anymore.”
Castellanos may end up regretting his statements. Young, confident guys often talk out of school. He can be forgiven.
However, it’s another matter when a coach spouts off.
Indiana’s Curt Cignetti, defending the Hoosiers’ decision to drop a game against the ACC’s Virginia, took a shot at SEC scheduling.
“We figured we would just adopt SEC scheduling philosophy,” Cignetti said. “Some people don't like it. I'm more focused in on those nine conference games.”
Big Ten advocates have often suggested SEC teams play weaker schedules. Their rationale is that the Big Ten plays nine conference games, which is more demanding than the SEC’s eight conference game format.
However, each SEC team is required to schedule a non-conference game against a power conference opponent. Ole Miss doesn’t this season, but the Rebels do play Washington State, which did fit the criteria before the Pac-12 was decimated by realignment.
That argument won’t hold water much longer. The SEC will move to a nine-game conference schedule next season.
Until then, the SEC can re-establish its place in college football’s dominance hierarchy in the coming weeks.
Six SEC teams face Power Four opponents this weekend. Four more such games are scheduled next week. Two more are scheduled for the following weekend.
SEC teams need to show their power and re-assert dominance to the challengers.
That’s what alpha predators do.
Around the SEC
This week’s games: Central Arkansas at Missouri (Thursday); Auburn at Baylor (Friday); UTSA at No. 19 Texas A&M; No .1 Texas at No. 3 Ohio State; Syracuse vs. No. 24 Tennessee at Atlanta; Mississippi State at Southern Miss; Toledo at Kentucky; Marshall at No. 5 Georgia; Alabama A&M at Arkansas; Illinois State at No. 18 Oklahoma; Long Island at No. 15 Florida; Charleston Southern at Vanderbilt; No. 9 LSU at No. 4 Clemson; Georgia State at No. 21 Ole Miss; Virginia Tech at No. 13 South Carolina at Atlanta (Sunday)
Who’s hot: Florida posted four victories to close the 2024 season. That might not seem like a big deal, but it’s the Gators' longest winning streak since 2020. Expect that streak to continue with a win over the speed bump that is Long Island University.
Who’s not: LSU is hoping to end a five-game losing streak in season-openers. The Tigers’ last season-opening victory was 55-3 over Georgia Southern in 2019. They went on to win the national championship. Since then, LSU has opened with losses to Mississippi State (44-34 in 2020), UCLA (38-27 in 2021), Florida State (24-23 in 2022 and 45-24 in ’23) and USC (27-20 in ’24).
Keep an eye on: South Carolina’s offense is projected to be explosive because of quarterback LaNorris Sellers. However, the Gamecocks’ offensive line is rebuilt, the receivers have been average and Raheim Sanders, last year’s leading rusher, is now in the NFL. Utah State transfer running back Rahsul Faison is needed to complement Sellers. If the offense struggles vs. a mediocre Virginia Tech defense, the preseason expectation for South Carolina perhaps should be lowered.
The pressure is on: Auburn coach Hugh Freeze needs a season-opening victory over Baylor. Not known for great patience with coaches, Auburn is 11-14 in two seasons under Freeze. He received more criticism in June for playing more than a dozen rounds of golf. That’s really not a big deal, but unhappy Auburn fans will look for any reason to oust a coach. Sometimes they invent reasons (ask Bryan Harsin). Additionally, Freeze reportedly has one assistant coach call plays on first down and another on third down. Is that a sign of dysfunction? Also, Freeze brought in quarterback Jackson Arnold from Oklahoma to lead the Tiger offense. If Arnold doesn’t excel, that’ll be another point of criticism for Freeze.
Best matchup: LSU’s strong passing game clashes with Clemson’s heralded secondary. LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was fifth in the nation in passing last season. He has explosive receivers in Aaron Anderson and Chris Hilton Jr. Meanwhile, Clemson was second in the ACC in pass defense last season. Cornerbacks Avieon Terrell and Ashton Hampton form one of the best tandems in the nation. The safeties can be exploited, though.
