I Wish I Was in Dixie

We're pretty lucky in Big 12 country when it comes to football. The entire experience--quality of play, traditions, fan fervor, tailgating opulence--is pretty high. The SEC, however, is at an entirely different level.

Take for example, their media days. Comparing conference strength is often a useless exercise, and trying to do the same with media days is no better. You'll find the SEC at the top there too. Nobody has the characters, the joie de vivre that they do down in Birmingham right now, and there are still two days left!

Check out this quote from Steve Spurrier: "I thought we had done something when we beat Clemson, but then Kentucky beat them in a bowl game." (Hat tip: EDSBS)

You see that? You see what he did there? Spurrier not only slammed his natural, blood-feud, non-conference rival he also got a dig in against a fellow conference foe. Brilliant! Not sure why it was Kentucky. Tennessee always used to be the Head Ball Coach's target and they're still pretty appealing in my mind.

In contrast, here's what Bill Callahan had to say about being picked behind Missouri:

"Personally, no, I don't agree with it. But I love our football team and I think they're capable of doing some great things...

...So I don't want to take anything away from Missouri, and I certainly don't take anything away from any of the competitors in the Big 12 North, as I was telling the writers out there earlier, hope springs eternal for everybody at this time of year. And it's going to be competitive. It's going to be fun and it's going to be interesting to see how it all shakes out."

But that's not fun is it? No digs were delivered, no egos bruised in the name of competition and I'm not saying that's wrong, it's just much less interesting. It's the difference between being from the Midwest and being from the South, that's all.

I don't write about the SEC in such terms very often, but I'd die to be there for this event. Luckily, AL.com is and if that's not enough coverage, you can also check out the SEC website.

And don't think that because Spurrier's already taken the mic that the fun is over. We still have Nick Saban, Les Miles, Phil Fulmer, and, of course, the immortal Ed Orgeron to go. I know the video is old, but I'll take every opportunity I can get to post it again.

Take it way Coach O...