re: Is the gap between the SEC and the rest of the country widening?

You ask this question like all teams in the SEC are equal. Let's see...

Is the gap between Ole Miss and the rest of the country widening? No.

Is the gap between Vanderbilt and the rest of the country widening? No.

Is the gap between Kentucky and the rest of the country widening? No.

Is the gap between Auburn and the rest of the country widening? Hellz no.

Is the gap between Texas A&M and the rest of the country widening? A&M is getting better it seems, but in their first year in the SEC they held their own. So does that mean the A&M was better than people gave them credit for, or that the SEC isn't as difficult as most make it out to be?

Is the gap between Alabama and the rest of the country widening? Yes.

Is the gap between Miss State and the rest of the country widening? No.

Is the gap between Missouri and the rest of the country widening? No.

Is the gap between LSU and the rest of the country widening? Maybe.

Is the gap between Arkansas and the rest of the country widening? No.

Is the gap between Florida and the rest of the country widening? No.

Is the gap between South Carolina and the rest of the country widening? No.

Is the gap between Georgia and the rest of the country widening? No.

Is the gap between Tennessee and the rest of the country widening? No.

So overall.... no.