SEC survey results: Fans on the state of the conference, Indiana and the future of the sport

By and huge, SEC soccer followers are humbled. Nonetheless, they’re not in a panic, primarily based on the outcomes of a reader survey by The Athletic.

“The SEC will proceed to provide the most effective TV product within the sport, arguably higher with the parity,” wrote Joe, a reader and self-described SEC fan. “I’m OK with letting different maintain the trophy in short stints.”

Non-SEC followers, in the meantime, really feel the convention ought to be frightened. At the least a bit bit.

“The SEC will all the time be good and aggressive, and they’re going to all the time have a particular vibe in these stadiums and through these video games. They’ll finally will win the natty once more,” wrote Ryan Pierce, a Huge Ten fan. “However they may by no means be dominant once more — as a result of now, ‘it simply means extra’ to everyone else, too.”

Within the aftermath of the SEC’s third straight season not even making the nationwide championship, we determined to take the heartbeat of our readers — out and in of the SEC — by way of a survey. The questions revolved across the SEC but additionally the modifications within the sport, and the long run. Judging by the outcomes:

• There’s widespread feeling that Indiana’s championship was a product of the modifications within the sport — not simply Curt Cignetti being that nice a coach.

• The SEC packages that can do finest over the following 5 years are Georgia, Texas and LSU — in that order.

• Half of respondents favor increasing the School Soccer Playoff to 16, nearly a 3rd need to hold it at 12, and the remaining need it to be greater than 16 — or lower than 12.

That is in no way a scientific survey. It’s an examination of 1,559 readers who accomplished the survey. The responses have been from all followers, not simply the SEC, until famous.

Survey respondents have been followers of …

State of the SEC

To sum up: 61.1 % of SEC followers aren’t sweating this a lot. Solely 19.4% % of SEC followers are very or considerably frightened.

“An excessive amount of overreaction,” Alex Panhans wrote. “SEC soccer is the most effective product in CFB. The tailgating, athletic division monetary commitments, full and loud stadiums the place profitable on the street at any venue is a serious accomplishment on the schedule, and passionate fan bases, are all the time going to make it the most effective top-to-bottom.”

One other reader, Tracy, took a extra sanguine view: “SEC had an amazing run as clearly the convention with essentially the most expertise and the most effective groups. The expertise is so unfold out that’s unlikely to occur once more. The SEC faculties nonetheless have essentially the most passionate followers and most constant traditions. It’s most likely finest for the game total that the expertise is extra unfold out.”

Nonetheless, some fear exists.

“I’m an OU fan,” wrote Invoice. “My largest fear for all of the SEC groups is whether or not or not they may have the monetary power to remain aggressive within the NIL battle for each new recruits and portal entrants.”

Tom Jackson pointed to the Huge Ten areas having bigger markets and extra assets than the South.

“Some SEC faculties could possibly sustain (the Texas faculties, Oklahoma, Georgia, Florida), however normally, no,” Jackson mentioned. “Faculties like Ohio State, Michigan and Notre Dame have a fundraising historical past, enormous alumni numbers, and deep databases courting from the Nineteen Thirties. Main fundraising at SEC faculties solely started within the Seventies and ’80s, and for some, it nonetheless hasn’t achieved any degree of significant competitiveness for the establishments normally or their athletic packages.”

As for followers of different conferences?

Not surprisingly, non-SEC followers are likely to assume there ought to be extra concern. It’s nonetheless not fairly a majority with 44.6 % selecting the 2 highest ranges of fear. However that’s greater than twice the share of SEC followers who selected these two choices.

A standard theme is that in a world the place everybody can legally pay gamers, the SEC doesn’t profit as a result of within the outdated system … effectively, you understand the belief. True or not, it’s the skin notion.

“The SEC now not has roster benefits with obscene depth. Now, it really comes all the way down to teaching and out there assets,” wrote Aero, a Huge Ten fan. “And, Texas faculties apart, I’m unsure the vast majority of SEC faculties have the financial assets to maintain themselves long run within the competitors for expertise. The B1G has a lot bigger alumni bases and wealth. The times of SEC dominance are over.”

Nonetheless, a mixed 32.7 % of non-SEC followers selected the 2 lowest ranges of fear choices. Mixed with the center choice, it’s simply over a majority primarily saying the SEC shouldn’t panic.

“The SEC stays fairly clearly the most effective top-to-bottom convention,” wrote Jared W., a Notre Dame fan. “I feel there was all the time some mythology surrounding their dominance however they occupy a football-obsessed area that churns out the most effective gamers so it isn’t some loopy conspiracy that they have been and are good. The parity and program funding within the league has proven up and NIL has clearly had a big impact. Not just like the SEC is on the market getting smoked, video games have been good and aggressive (Bama excepted). League will probably be high quality.”

The highest two might be lopped collectively, and sometimes are: The SEC is now not capable of hoard expertise as a result of gamers can depart for taking part in time and a greater deal.

A sampling of a number of the explanations for different causes:

“The SEC has the hardest schedule so SEC groups come into the playoff worn out. It was simpler for the SEC when the playoffs have been shorter.” — Dave, Huge Ten fan

“Extra good groups in SEC beating one another as a consequence of spreading of expertise.” – Jim, no specific convention fan.

“Pure variation over time? For the lifetime of me, I can’t perceive why media thinks that is such a giant deal (and I say that as a member of the media, although not for CFB). I don’t know any SEC followers who’re tight about it.” — Amanda, SEC fan

“Lack of huge donors.” — JA, SEC fan

“Everyone seems to be now paying gamers.” — Joe, Huge Ten fan

“There’s a pure ebb and circulation and the SEC is at an ebb. However they dominate groups 10-30 in CFB and have extra parity than they did over the earlier a long time.” — MJ, Huge Ten fan

“Hubris and believing your individual press.” — Blake, SEC fan.

The SEC really had a greater nonconference efficiency through the 2025 season than the earlier two seasons. It additionally received 5 groups within the CFP, after solely three in 2024. However all the pieces went sideways within the postseason, from the Playoff to bowls.

Keith, who lives in Eire and described himself as an SEC fan, drew a comparability with the game on his facet of the pond.

“I feel the SEC shares an identical parallel with the English Premier League with regards to their groups enjoying within the Champions League. After enjoying an SEC schedule, which is a gantlet, the vast majority of groups are out on their toes. To then play a playoff recreation towards a staff in one other convention who has had perhaps 4 powerful video games, it’s arduous … Then once more, what would I do know. I’m comparatively new to the game (fan since 2020 and from Eire) so take what I say with a pinch of salt.”

Rank the SEC packages in keeping with the way you assume they’ll do over the following 5 years:

A sampling of feedback:

“UGA fan. As they are saying, ‘In Kirby we belief.’ Till we don’t.” — Tommy Jennings

“As an Alabama fan, I notice the profitable we witnessed with (Nick Saban) won’t ever happen in school soccer in my lifetime. I feel Kalen (DeBoer) will win one (if given the time) over his first six years and that would be the approach it’s.” — John S.

“As a Vanderbilt fan, I’m enthusiastic about the potential of much more parity! It’s time the SEC dominance will get a problem and I’m glad to see it.” — Emily

“My Gators dodged a bullet by NOT getting Lane Kiffin and will very effectively wind up with the most effective rent on this cycle. Very optimistic with Jon Sumrall on the helm.” — Vince B., a Florida fan

“That is the 12 months Josh Heupel should show whether or not he’s the (Tennessee) savior or simply one other mediocrity.” — Invoice Ryan

“Outdoors of Kirby, there’s plenty of questionable coaches within the league. So I undoubtedly query the course of the convention. The highest coaches in CFB proper now are: Kirby, Cignetti, (Ryan) Day, (Marcus) Freeman, and so forth. Who from the SEC, beside Kirby, can be on that tier? Some would say Lane, however what has he confirmed? He hasn’t proven long run stability at a program.” — Bucky B.

Way forward for the game

Some reader ideas:

“I’m bored with the SEC’s notion how nice they’re. School soccer is solely completely different now and Indiana’s rise is the utmost instance of how extra mundane packages (like mine at Cal) can doubtlessly flip the desk.” — Cameron, ACC fan

“The SEC goes to have to regulate how they establish and develop expertise. Indiana proved there’s plenty of undervalued expertise that may be acquired by the portal. The SEC even has its personal instance this 12 months in Trinidad Chambliss (who was nonetheless anticipated to be a backup this season).” — Kris F., a Huge 12 fan.

“Indiana IS an indication of the altering occasions, however Coach Cigs can be distinctive. Their older, portal-heavy squad being coached that effectively was the proper recipe. They beat Oregon simply as badly as Alabama, so a number of the hysteria is unwarranted.” — Patrick V., SEC fan

Just a few extra reader ideas:

“I’m not a lot frightened in regards to the SEC as a lot as I (fear about) the best way the playoffs are being run. Twelve groups with the highest 4 seeds having a month off is confirmed disastrous. It must go to 16 groups with no computerized convention bids. Prime 16 groups, that’s it. Interval.” — Jason James, SEC fan

“Miami making the title recreation as the ten seed, and the truth that with subsequent 12 months’s CFP guidelines they’d’ve been out this 12 months, exhibits we’d like 16 groups within the Playoff. I do assume that plenty of packages have to get their heads out of the sand and acknowledge it’s not nationwide championship or bust. There are 136 FBS groups, 70 of that are P4. And just one champion yearly. As a Texas alum I’ve endured plenty of ache, however not like lots of my fellow Horns, two top-four appearances from 2023 to 2024 have been each nice experiences and I cherish them. Clearly, I’d like to see us win a titl,e however I don’t EXPECT it.” — Cody Boyd, a Texas fan

“This seems like a jerk factor to say, however within the age of NIL, faculties exterior of what was the Energy 5 shouldn’t qualify for a similar playoffs. They may look superb amongst their friends, however they inevitably can’t compete on the similar degree. They find yourself taking spots that would have gone to extra aggressive ‘P5’ contenders.” — Kara, an SEC fan

Subsequent, we requested SEC followers …

In the meantime, two-thirds of non-SEC respondents — 66.6 % — mentioned they believed convention championship video games ought to be eradicated.

“The SEC Championship Recreation should finish. It’s turn into a recreation for seeding within the CFP. Successful the SEC (or any convention) now has no extra which means than profitable the AFC West or NFC North. The SEC used to have co-champions and everyone was high quality with that. No motive to not return to that mannequin.” — Harry, an SEC fan

“Championship video games ought to decide a bye for conferences with whole top-four rating for the sport. And just one off week — with play-in video games on Thursday/Friday after championships.” — John, an SEC fan

“Tremendous League shouldn’t be the reply, however neither is Keep the Similar. The reply is someplace in between — the Huge 10 and SEC cannibalize the remainder of the Huge 12 and ACC, ending round 24 groups every. They break up into 4 divisions every primarily based on geography and historic rivalries. The season shortens to 10-11 video games, then every convention has a four-team match to resolve its champion. Convention champs meet within the title recreation on Jan 1. — Will B.

“I feel the game is best off with a Tremendous League. The large conferences desire a system that works finest for them. Solely in that approach can they tackle the large questions within the room relating to participant motion, collective bargaining, income sharing/wage caps, and the like. The consequence will probably be nothing that appears like school soccer in its present type, however we have now to acknowledge that that’s the place this bus goes. The NCAA isn’t legally outfitted to supply the governance construction that they want (they don’t have an antitrust exemption, they will’t create or implement a CBA, there are legitimate authorized inquiries to their eligibility guidelines). Frankly, the NCAA shouldn’t be these issues.” — Tyler, a Lehigh fan

“Hoping one of many Tremendous League proposals are authorized. Conferences are simply too massive and what occurred to Oregon State and Washington State is a travesty.” — Marty, an SEC fan

“I’d like to see a Tremendous League (mash all conferences up) and implement relegation like European soccer leagues, so the JMU’s of the world can transfer up for a season, and the Mississippi States can degree down, however I do know there’s an excessive amount of $$$$ at stake for that to ever occur. A boy can dream of life being truthful, proper?” — Richie Beans, SEC fan

“What I, and I feel plenty of followers need, is a return to smaller conferences with faculties which are extra carefully situated to one another. The unending growth is what is going to find yourself being the dying of the game, not NIL or the switch portal.” — Wyatt, SEC fan

“The one motive I’d be FOR a Tremendous League is to get balanced scheduling, true what-happens-on-the-field defines playoff entry, and get regional rivalries again… primarily the most effective components of the game.” — Joseph, a Huge 12 fan