by Kevin Trahan (@k_trahan)
In the weeks leading up to the Gator Bowl, Pat Fitzgerald had gotten more than his fair share of questions about the SEC, SEC speed and the thought of playing against a conference that, from the line of questioning, was made to seem invincible. It was pretty clear that by the end of the game, he was sick of them.
So when this question came up in the postgame press conference, Fitzgerald did his best to be diplomatic:
“The SEC is looked at as one of the most talented leagues in the country,” the questioner stated asked. “How did you prepare (your team) to say, ‘You can compete, you can win this game?’”
After the awkward silence following the question, senior linebacker David Nwabuisi whispered something to Fitzgerald, who responded, “That’s alright, that’s alright, that’s alright.” Then he turned to the questioner:
“We’ve got the utmost respect for the SEC,” he said. “We’ve played them multiple times now. We were unfortunate down in Tampa (playing) against a team that won a National Championship the next year. This year we were 2-0 against them.
“I believe we play in the best football conference in the world, and I’m biased, but I don’t care.”
Yeah, Fitzgerald is a little biased. That “best conference” title belongs to the SEC or the Big 12 this year. However, the narrative that the Big Ten can’t compete with the SEC, the talk of SEC speed and the perception that Mississippi State is a power just because it plays in the SEC are absolutely ridiculous. It’s a stereotype perpetuated by southern and national media members, and one that has no basis in fact, but is somehow universally accepted.
The writers pushed that narrative as much as they could at the Jan. 31 Gator Bowl press conference. One asked Fitzgerald about the challenge of playing the SEC. One asked Nwabuisi about the difference between “the perception of football” in Texas (where Nwabuisi is from) and the Big Ten. One asked a Mississippi State player what he thinks of when he hears about the Big Ten, clearly trying to lead him into an answer about the Big Ten playing “old man football.”
The worst came from a Jacksonville reporter who asked Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen what his 16-2 non-conference record says about “SEC dominance.” Never mind the fact that the Bulldogs played powerhouses Jackson State, Troy, South Alabama and Middle Tennessee this year.
It’s absolutely ridiculous that we allow people to perpetuate the idea that a few good teams make the rest of the conference unstoppable. Alabama’s dominance doesn’t make Mississippi State good. If the Wildcats were playing Alabama, then they’d probably lose, but they weren’t — they were playing Mississippi State. And the Crimson Tide have absolutely no influence on how good the Bulldogs are.
The SEC is top heavy, and in college football, being top heavy is better than being deep when it comes to national perception. In fact, Northwestern had a better SEC win (8-4 Vanderbilt) than Mississippi State did (4-8 Arkansas or 4-8 Tennessee) in the regular season. This MSU team wasn’t a juggernaut that had to earn hard-fought wins en route to an 8-4 record.
But what about speed, you ask? How could NU keep up with the blazing team speed of Mississippi State? After all, the Bulldogs have much better athletes — the recruiting rankings say so!
Well, defensive ends Quentin Williams and Tyler Scott answered that absurd suggestion by running around and through the MSU offensive line, frustrating Bulldogs quarterback Tyler Russell all day.
“I’ll say this about our ballclub: we can run, we’re fast, we’re athletic, we’re physical, we’re tough, we know how to respond,” Fitzgerald said.
It’s ironic, because Mississippi State is actually much worse-equipped for fast-paced games than NU. The Bulldogs play a more traditional style, while the Wildcats are the ones that speed the game up. And when NU was able to push the pace on offense against MSU, it was tough to stop.
Fitzgerald probably had a few choice words that he would have liked to use for the questioner in his postgame press conference, but he let the play on the field speak for itself — a 34-20 drubbing of one of those supposed powers.
To some, this was probably a shocking upset. Somewhere in the South, a journalist with SEC goggles will write something like this: “Northwestern countered its inferior athleticism with smart, disciplined play and took advantage of uncharacteristic Mississippi State mistakes.” Hopefully, these lines end soon.
The SEC is a great conference and it has some outstanding teams. Mississippi State, however, is not one of them. On Tuesday, the faster and more talented team won, and that team was from the Big Ten.
That doesn’t fit the narrative we’re used to, so maybe that means it’s time to change the narrative altogether.
Pingback: туроператор по израилю
Pingback: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyB2hhs_QF8
Pingback: Joomla portfolio templates
Pingback: bluehost.com godaddy
Pingback: bwueuwervbrweuagvw
Pingback: Cristal Srinvasan
Pingback: male enhancement
Pingback: Employment Law
Pingback: career and salary information
Pingback: noc poslubna film
Pingback: Parfumdreams Gutschein
Pingback: Sony PS4 softmod
Pingback: fat loss factor/Fat Loss Factor Review/Fat Loss Factor Program
Pingback: Continue reading
Pingback: melt your man's heart
Pingback: Raspberry Ketone Max
Pingback: annual free credit report
Pingback: Virility Ex
Pingback: sex tube
Pingback: download lagu karaoke
Pingback: buy fb fans
Pingback: toronto plumbers
Pingback: best cccamserver
Pingback: education
Pingback: hair loss after pregnancy
Pingback: prezenty
Pingback: Home Page
Pingback: dacia media nav
Pingback: casino games
Pingback: massage in london
Pingback: Arduino
Pingback: Corina Franken
Pingback: Diamond Dash Hack
Pingback: ????? ??????
Pingback: Jobs U.s
Pingback: alexander bmw lease
Pingback: bath salt recipes
Pingback: best cannabis seeds aerogarden
Pingback: buy private proxies
Pingback: photos
Pingback: purchase antabuse online
Pingback: salsa
Pingback: jobs at home
Pingback: nuru massage london
Pingback: zynga poker chips for sale
Pingback: debt loans
Pingback: shutters
Pingback: Edgeworld Hack Platinum
Pingback: block paving retford
Pingback: BestCreditRepairCompanys.com
Pingback: deals
Pingback: kata kata romantis
Pingback: http://youtu.be/K8F1FeClzGE
Pingback: profitable online business 2013
Pingback: custom desktop
Pingback: site-uri galati
Pingback: Hair Loss Products
Pingback: Breast Actives
Pingback: Total Curve Reviews
Pingback: xbox 360
Pingback: www.miniclip.com
Pingback: anyoption withdrawal
Pingback: where to buy computers
Pingback: win a free ipad
Pingback: best portable dvd player
Pingback: Articles
Pingback: Recommended Site
Pingback: adverse effects of anabolic steroids
Pingback: easy drawings
Pingback: anime games
Pingback: hostgator discount
Pingback: quality backlinks
Pingback: free xbox 360
Pingback: best portable dvd player for car
Pingback: free
Pingback: http://biocourse.org/index.php?title=HerdBasinger891
Pingback: carpet cleaning
Pingback: Honey Curson
Pingback: Learning Spanish course in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
Pingback: Photographers
Pingback: supreme
Pingback: Dillon Kuhnen
Pingback: Nick Kayser
Pingback: http://www.routingcheck.com/compass-bank-routing-number.html
Pingback: Utah Carpet Cleaning
Pingback: burn fat quickly
Pingback: Find Out More
Pingback: How to make your own website for free
Pingback: How to make your own website for free
Pingback: coupons for chipotle
Pingback: Barbie Knight
Pingback: view it now
Pingback: Pamella Hohensee
Pingback: Celesta Debouse
Pingback: Fujifilm S4200
Pingback: http://themillionaireos.net/webinar/?ac=ro3618
Pingback: Roy Hequembourg
Pingback: http://frassadys.com/
Pingback: Halley Grof
Pingback: home solar kits for sale
Pingback: Kareem Henton
Pingback: Jess Bliler
Pingback: Freddie Folmer
Pingback: Marcella Kina
Pingback: Law Firm Minnesota
Pingback: Noel Demman
Pingback: Pedro Hufty
Pingback: Russell Fingleton
Pingback: Quibids Scam
Pingback: Elwood Moscovic
Pingback: Florine Tatge
Pingback: Janiece Strek
Pingback: Ruben Kravetsky
Pingback: Rayford Crease
Pingback: I am in debt
Pingback: Phil Buchenau
Pingback: famous quotes about motivation in life
Pingback: over 50 life insurance no medical
Pingback: fat loss factor review
Pingback: instant backlinks
Pingback: Dorthy Gehris
Pingback: Wendell Hourihan
Pingback: mygirlfund scam
Pingback: colonie de vacances
Pingback: news headlines today
Pingback: phone lookup
Pingback: Elliot Artibee
Pingback: Jenelle Tostanoski
Pingback: Sofia Colombo
Pingback: Home
Pingback: Micah Mantanona
Pingback: quitting smoking easy
Pingback: Rashad Zagar
Pingback: Shaun Haggstrom
Pingback: Thomas Tuitt
Pingback: Otha Churches
Pingback: Naruto Games
Pingback: Rolando Trachtenberg
Pingback: Lory Burtin
Pingback: achat
Pingback: Willis Sheats
Pingback: Setsuko Subler
Pingback: Complete Currency trader
Pingback: Roberto Westly
Pingback: swift codes
Pingback: Teisha Milite
Pingback: network marketing
Pingback: electronic cigs toronto
Pingback: miniclip
Pingback: Cedrick Borgmeyer
Pingback: Denny Mcspadden
Pingback: videos
Pingback: Ilana Slocombe
Pingback: Erik Soboleski
Pingback: the choice 2012
Pingback: download free ebooks
Pingback: Iron rich foods
Pingback: Octavia Grall
Pingback: Jenae Gibbons
Pingback: Santiago Mcneme
Pingback: Alona Wnukowski
Pingback: netlog
Pingback: weightloss planning
Pingback: str�mpriser i dag
Pingback: Samsung Galaxy Note 510
Pingback: Ira Teig
Pingback: neo-victorian
Pingback: Bruno Alejandro
Pingback: cave man diet
Pingback: Cami Sampere
Pingback: marriage problems
Pingback: Schuhe online
Pingback: Roseann Cassette
Pingback: Success With Anthony 2.0 review
Pingback: Kaitlin Gambill
Pingback: Best Home Based Business
Pingback: smokeless cigarette safety
Pingback: Jewell Jhonston
Pingback: Freda Strazisar
Pingback: espejos de pared
Pingback: http://wiki.waltheracademy.net/groups/welcometomrssmithsclass2010/wiki/77059/The_magic_of_creating_around_get_the_ex_back_again.html
Pingback: Bernice Orzechowski
Pingback: Ray Mayr
Pingback: residual income ideas
Pingback: Andres Lascola
Pingback: getting rid of ground moles
Pingback: Loren Blessing
Pingback: Extra Resources
Pingback: Tressie Simuel
Pingback: Willian Bournazian
Pingback: home business ideas for women
Pingback: 12 inch hair extensions
Pingback: click here
Pingback: party
Pingback: meaning
Pingback: Green Coffee Bean Max
Pingback: Allmän Fastighetsvård
Pingback: Catheryn Hufana
Pingback: Raspberry Ketone Plus
Pingback: Allen Corbin
Pingback: body contour undershirt
Pingback: dog ear infection home remedy
Pingback: Viagra
Pingback: youtube view bot
Pingback: Brice Strother
Pingback: House
Pingback: Bernarda Ancelet
Pingback: wholesale leather
Pingback: Jerome Karam
Pingback: http://lastkingssnapback.webs.com/
Pingback: Shanelle Scharler
Pingback: Bambi Moschella
Pingback: http://quaintroad4569.blog.com/2013/03/09/advantages/
Pingback: SEO Analysis
Pingback: Cinthia Attleson
Pingback: durham electrician
Pingback: Milwaukee fence companies
Pingback: forex
Pingback: Isiah Thornberry
Pingback: garage plans
Pingback: print instagram photos on canvas
Pingback: Carlton Kloeppel
Pingback: Laptop Repair Parts
Pingback: Saran Kopec
Pingback: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeSZRnLI5Vo
Pingback: Dena Hardigan
Pingback: Mathew Seleg
Pingback: Harley Strauss
Pingback: Valentine Baldo
Pingback: Emilio Brackemyre
Pingback: Dinorah Felberbaum
Pingback: brazolot migration group
Pingback: Etsuko Seamon
Pingback: xxl blonde
Pingback: rv storage orange county
Pingback: Singapore tours
Pingback: Tai Garrell
Pingback: Hot lesbians sit on dildo
Pingback: Backlinks kaufen
Pingback: Amira Kusnic
Pingback: Mother Love
Pingback: hcg ultra diet
Pingback: top packers and movers bangalore
Pingback: get rid of herpes
Pingback: www.fussballmanageronline.com
Pingback: Nest Thermostat
Pingback: car
Pingback: aion kinah
Pingback: Breast Actives
Pingback: make money blogging
Pingback: Una Roudybush
Pingback: Eartha Habeck
Pingback: Hobert Laurens
Pingback: porn
Pingback: www.buymycaoldcar.co.uk
Pingback: Isreal Zoglmann
Pingback: Cyrstal Joo
Pingback: bradenton fl abortion clinic
Pingback: cobendai madrid
Pingback: altamonte springs fl abortion pill clinic
Pingback: Son Reiners
Pingback: breast actives scams
Pingback: Scott Hunter
Pingback: Vivian Fausset
Pingback: games
Pingback: Jennifer Shew
Pingback: numbness in feet
Pingback: trick photography by evan sharboneau
Pingback: Tiffany Rusher
Pingback: min8ibygv6tc64xe5
Pingback: make money from blogs
Pingback: bank
Pingback: Sergio Jaure
Pingback: $5
Pingback: Raquel Ollis
Pingback: Spammer
Pingback: singapore pools 4d
Pingback: Yer Sisto
Pingback: natural raspberry ketone
Pingback: bigfoot sightings
Pingback: Picture Sharing
Pingback: Harrison Blanquart
Pingback: Jackie Kuka
Pingback: lonas para piscinas madrid
Pingback: Kirby Iniestra
Pingback: Mariel Poague
Pingback: como quitar las pulgas de casa
Pingback: Yulanda Bodelson
Pingback: Bo Prusak
Pingback: hire php developers
Pingback: Ivory Stickland
Pingback: free site here
Pingback: viagra
Pingback: discount voucher
Pingback: plastic surgery
Pingback: self-development
Pingback: arduino uno-r3
Pingback: Taylor Royce
Pingback: free chakra test
Pingback: Stevie Ariaza
Pingback: http://macabrewaif6130.xanga.com/772263777/executive-has-claimed/
Pingback: Allen Farrell
Pingback: in home sushi chefs
Pingback: donate auto
Pingback: Alysa Rametta
Pingback: Haraj Saudi Arabia
Pingback: pcf mojo
Pingback: Dennis Durough
Pingback: Elvis Mcgreevy
Pingback: telefonsex sexcam
Pingback: numbness in hands
Pingback: sexgeschichten.com
Pingback: Tobias Leite
Pingback: www.kostenlose-games.de
Pingback: Larhonda Reisen
Pingback: Margherita Wings
Pingback: Daphne Costenive
Pingback: SizeGenetics
Pingback: Ailene Mitchelle
Pingback: Courtney Friley
Pingback: http://visdomwords.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/24/17435377-getting-the-website
Pingback: tas import
Pingback: Brain Miscavage
Pingback: best cordless drill hilti
Pingback: Francis Wardrip
Pingback: http://140.122.76.106/wikichinese/index.php?title=Make_the_Most_of_Lucrative_Term_Life_Insurance
Pingback: Taren Koppinger
Pingback: Virility Ex
Pingback: Seth Swango
Pingback: Natox Cream
Pingback: Tinnitus Control
Pingback: Venapro
Pingback: Otis Sebeniecher
Pingback: Casey Wurzbacher
Pingback: Emerald Bonny
Pingback: Carolee Schelling
Pingback: games for girls
Pingback: Mafalda Gastelum
Pingback: Karole Rinehardt
Pingback: Phen375 Reviews
Pingback: Orlando Weist
Pingback: Janay Scheible
Pingback: abortion clinic largo
Pingback: abortion Haines City
Pingback: abortion pill Poinciana
Pingback: claro tv por assinatura
Pingback: Raisa Harmeson
Pingback: Shantay Georgevic
Pingback: Margery Cypher
Pingback: Fernando Shroll
Pingback: Phillip Finey
Pingback: devenir auto entrepreneur
Pingback: Denita Bachtold
Pingback: the elevation group scam
Pingback: Milford Wexler
Pingback: sushi catering boston ma
Pingback: credit immo en ligne
Pingback: Merlin Rosoff
Pingback: affiliate marketing blog
Pingback: resume
Pingback: Elenora Degrasse
Pingback: Make A Man Fall In Love With You
Pingback: Texas car insurance
Pingback: tube porn free
Pingback: colothin reviews
Pingback: Tula Vanwinkle
Pingback: Camelia Glessing
Pingback: Roseanne Gerace
Pingback: Theresia Knickrehm
Pingback: lottery online
Pingback: ben 10 ultimate
Pingback: Mickey Deed
Pingback: online business solutions
Pingback: cari duit
Pingback: Buy Views On YouTube
Pingback: Best Law Firms
Pingback: Get Paid To Draw Review
Pingback: anal sex
Pingback: Rueben Misasi
Pingback: Kou Tea Review
Pingback: Buy Views for YouTube
Pingback: Wank porno free porn videos
Pingback: magicsubmitter
Pingback: Ling Krull
Pingback: recommended read
Pingback: oxyelite pro ingredients
Pingback: Obdulia Sifford
Pingback: Bianca Pheasant
Pingback: Elodia Armistead
Pingback: Arlie Rendleman
Pingback: Boyd Allabaugh
Pingback: champs elysess
Pingback: stop smoking natural
Pingback: Milan Lajza
Pingback: Tanner Magos
Pingback: Waltraud Srygley
Pingback: Edgar Diliberto
Pingback: iherb free shipping
Pingback: Mary Hoch
Pingback: best sites to chat
Pingback: kratisi
Pingback: Lan Frew
Pingback: Michel Garrard
Pingback: Go Here
Pingback: Isabel Marant sale
Pingback: Facebook Buy Likes
Pingback: plumbing companies near Greater Toronto
Pingback: seriale gratis
Pingback: COE Financing
Pingback: http://www.primebreasts.net/
Pingback: excel 2013 new features
Pingback: free credit report check
Pingback: social media for business
Pingback: Romeo Plus
Pingback: http://kercommunications.com
Pingback: tinnitus miracle book free download
Pingback: Anonymous
Pingback: Lawerence Oertel
Pingback: Fitness Boot Camp Port Saint Lucie
Pingback: Casandra Eraso
Pingback: Juanita Doege
Pingback: Arvilla Opperman
Pingback: Franklin Woodring
Pingback: Deborah Bacca
Pingback: saldo gratis
Pingback: watch the simpsons online
Pingback: Getting pregnant after 40
Pingback: SEO company
Pingback: smettere di fumare
Pingback: Buy Facebook Votes
Pingback: Jarden Home Brands 1440081400
Pingback: How To Seduce Women
Pingback: onebuckresume contact
Pingback: Gaylord Dineen
Pingback: Obey Snapback Hats
Pingback: small business opportunities in 2013
Pingback: Starter Snapback
Pingback: Luann Harsey
Pingback: Rufina Mcilwaine
Pingback: Rubin Rison
Pingback: Giovanna Doegg
Pingback: Marget Riel
Pingback: Austin Reddout
Pingback: Dope Caps
Pingback: Randell Barks
Pingback: minecraft hosting
Pingback: Samira Riemann
Pingback: Neal Wary
Pingback: Kurt Lapiana
Pingback: affiliate network
Pingback: Sorry I'm Fresh Caps
Pingback: Boeing F-18
Pingback: Justin Cleland
Pingback: Buy Likes Facebook
Pingback: Alica Weisse
Pingback: water ionizer
Pingback: Craig Baniaga
Pingback: Lucas Belsito
Pingback: kindle fire review
Pingback: Diamond Caps
Pingback: Laticia Sarazin
Pingback: Toshiba Drivers
Pingback: Chase Mulqueen
Pingback: Disney houses for rent
Pingback: hsgm.pl
Pingback: Derrick Tehrani
Pingback: How To Get Ripped FastHow To Gain Muscle Fast
Pingback: tarot amor
Pingback: Utah Carpet Cleaning
Pingback: meilleur taux immobilier actuel
Pingback: canon eos 6d
Pingback: Renee Klahn
Pingback: Melita Barcia
Pingback: buy garcinia cambogia
Pingback: first birthday outfits
Pingback: levitra
Pingback: Reality TV auditions
Pingback: Sammy Mossing
Pingback: samsung s4 galaxy
Pingback: Check This website
Pingback: Check this website
Pingback: Kitchen supplies
Pingback: tworzenie stron warszawa
Pingback: Casinos Deutschland
Pingback: Cecil Balo
Pingback: korean circle contact lenses
Pingback: magicsubmitter
Pingback: dongen
Pingback: Nita Schnicke
Pingback: dertgusdert
Pingback: dogru seo
Pingback: Northwestern True Freshman Linebacker Anthony Walker is All About Speed | Inside Northwestern
Pingback: granuflo heart attack
Pingback: gutscheincode teufel versandkostenfrei
Pingback: mexx gutscheincode versandkosten 2013
Pingback: of
Pingback: redcoon gutscheinnummer
Pingback: heine gutscheincode versandkosten 2013
Pingback: aktuelle weltbild neukunden gutscheine
Pingback: gutschein aktion spartoo
Pingback: bestandskunden mirapodo gutschein
Pingback: gutscheincodes von rebuy
Pingback: pure garcinia cambogia side effects
Pingback: more hints
Pingback: abogados ayuda en linea
Pingback: Second Income Ideas
Pingback: Simon
Pingback: noclegi wladyslawowo
Pingback: music promotion services
Pingback: Katelynn Tkach�
Pingback: Affordable Graphics
Pingback: Buy Google plus followers
Pingback: Malcom Carnohan
Pingback: Paper
Pingback: Herta Sitko
Pingback: telefonsex girls
Pingback: telefon sex
Pingback: bond cleaning Gold Coast
Pingback: belajar hipnoterapi
Pingback: second hand furniture melbourne
Pingback: Gregg Fornicola
Pingback: Krystin Sands
Pingback: Mike Pierrott
Pingback: 214-244-8300
Pingback: hcg weight loss
Pingback: sore throat causes
Pingback: jordan shoes women
Pingback: car keys
Pingback: viagra online without prescription
Pingback: Horticulture
Pingback: Pregnancy
Pingback: how to get ripped quick
Pingback: Howdy
Pingback: Click Here To Get A FREE Website
Pingback: Contact
Pingback: Durban Spa
Pingback: buy google plus
Pingback: friv friv
Pingback: MBBS in Ukraine