re: Arkansas, South Carolina, Texas A&M, and ... Missouri?

I'm not vouching for them. They can fight their own battles.

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But you're stating that with the assumption that things don't change. As the Hog fan noted LSU wasn't always the annual powerhouse that it has been over the last decade. UGA, UT, and UF sure haven't all fallen on hard times together like they have over the last couple of years. And when something like that happens it leaves room for an SC, not only to make an SECCG just to say it accomplished that feat one time, but to hopefully grow to the point where when UGA, UT, and UF get back on track SC is still in the mix for the East.

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The bottom line is that the "Big 6" doesn't want this to happen and they choose to ignore it even though we've both been in the picture the last few years.

Yeah and I understand why they would believe that once the Big 3 of the East get back on their feet that SC will once again be buried. But SC hasn't had a losing season since 2004. Only LSU and UF can say that amongst SEC schools. Yes LSU, UF, AU, Bama all have national titles and Arky and UGA have BCS bowl appearances.. but looking at our history that is a big step in the right direction. To the point where SC fans want more than just 9 wins (perhaps one of the only times in our schools history)

We have a generation of fans growing up (me: 21) who have spent their lives in the SEC and have grown up over the last 7 years and won't accept having losing seasons as we age through life. This pressure alone of not accepting mediocre and keeping in-state talent here in SC should be enough to keep our "heads above water" and every once and a while break through for an SECCG appearance.

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Yes, either program could break through and have a good or even great year but it is just harder to do it there

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No doubt, but to say we diluted the SEC product is fricking BS. See UK/Vand/OM/MSU for that crap.

Like it or not, USCe and Arky are in the mix going forward.

Yeah but we had Taneyhill in the '90s. What more do you want?

And the difference now is that with the hire of Holtz and Spurrier SC fans loved football, but accepted mediocrity as a eh well we're SC and thats just us. That is no longer the case and the difference is evident. Hopefully that will only grow.

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except there weren't 6 big time programs in the SEC in 1990. Arguablly there was only 1. Florida had never even won the SEC prior to 91. LSU had been at best a 2nd tier power since 1960, same with UT and AU. UGA won the NC in 1980 and was a legit contender for the next 3 years but mysteriously fell off after Walker was gone. Very different world than it is now.

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There is a lot of truth to that but we're going to end up debating what constitutes a powerhouse program

To me that is resources and recruiting (because those are things that make winning on a national stage much easier) - in that sense a school like A&M is definitely a powerhouse program. And this is true even tho A&M is obviously not a team with a lot of success recently. They have enormous potential

JMO tho - if you don't think of A&M as a powerhouse program then you won't agree with Tenn, Florida, LSU, UGA, Auburn being powerhouses around 90-92 either

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except there weren't 6 big time programs in the SEC in 1990. Arguablly there was only 1. Florida had never even won the SEC prior to 91. LSU had been at best a 2nd tier power since 1960, same with UT and AU. UGA won the NC in 1980 and was a legit contender for the next 3 years but mysteriously fell off after Walker was gone. Very different world than it is now.

The big advantage LSU has is there is a ton of talent in La and zero competition. . There's a lot of talent in SC, but 2 BCS schools and too many other BCS teams that are near by.

Arkansas doesn't have as much talent. They had a great program with Broyles and Holtz, but got a lot of guys from Texas. There were times with LSU and Bama were down and they couldn't take full advantage.

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Very Good Post

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if you don't think of A&M as a powerhouse program

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I would add the word potential in front of the word powerhouse and that applied to the SEC 5 in 1990. At the monent I would not consider Tennessee or UGA as powerhouses because they are to far removed from being consistent contenders, but that's just quibbling over sematics

SC has a ton of talent, but splits it with Clemson, plus all the teams that raid.

Ark doesn't have the in state talent to be a powerhouse. I do think it will help them having A&M in the SEC recruiting in Texas.

Never say never, but I don't think either could a powerhouse prograam, but they could get a apecial team an win the SEC and or contend for a BCS CG