Ash: What the SEC really stands for

After watching the SEC take down their fifth straight BCS National Championship with a thrilling win by Auburn over Oregon, I have decided that the SEC no longer stands for the South Eastern Conference. Instead it stands for Seemingly Endless Championships!

This run that the SEC is on the last five years is absolutely amazing. It seems almost impossible that 5 titles between 4 different schools has been won by one conference that has simply taken over college football. The most impressive thing to me is that these schools battle each other on and off the field.

I'm not taking away anything from USC that played for three national championships in a three year span (although one was not a BCS game). It was impressive the stranglehold that USC seemed to have on the Pac-10 if not the entire country. However, USC could get any kid they wanted. Rarely did USC lose a recruit to ASU, Washington, Cal or most of the other Pac-10 schools. Of course it happened a few times, but more often than not if USC came calling the kid signed the letter of intent.

That is not the case in the SEC. All of these schools: Florida, LSU, Alabama, Auburn, all battle each other for a lot of the same kids and they don't always get who they want. That to me is one of the most impressive things about this run. There are very good coaches and probably even better recruiters at these schools because they have to work even harder than the USC's and Ohio State's of the world.

I'm not sure if the run will continue next year for the SEC as Auburn will look drastically different once Cam Newton declares for the NFL draft. Alabama loses a good RB, but should vie for the title again. Florida is a big question mark with the loss of Urban Meyer. LSU could have a real chance next year as they return a lot of their players, but they too could be looking at a new coach (although most LSU fans would welcome that change for whatever reason).

I really wanted Oregon to win on Monday for the simple fact that I like to see the Pac-10 do well and get the credit it deserves. I will be honest though, there is nothing like SEC football. I am not just talking about the teams themselves, but instead the entire atmosphere of college football in the south.

I went to an LSU game in Baton Rouge a few years ago. It wasn't even that great of a game as they were playing Fresno State. I arrived on a Friday afternoon and hung out with some of the locals. I asked what time we were tailgating the next day. Their response was 8am. I thought to myself, 'wow that is really early', but I get it, these folks take their football and tailgating serious. I just assumed you needed that much time to get prepared if you know what I mean for the afternoon kickoff. That is when I was informed that kickoff time was slated for 8:30.....PM!!!! Needless to say that was one of the most enjoyable days I have ever had around football.

I hate to say it but teams like ASU and UofA can never create that kind of atmosphere. I'm not ripping those schools at all as I have had some fun times getting ready for each of their games, but the SEC is just different.

I watched thousands of Auburn fans celebrate on Monday their first title since 1957. For 98% of the people I saw this was their only time celebrating a title. Dad's shared the moment with their sons, brothers embraced and fans who had never met shared long tearful hugs with each other. It was pretty awesome to see!

This was a very good college football season capped off with one of the great games of our era. Spring football can't get here quick enough.