Overview
- ESPN's Paul Finebaum said on First Take that "there's no way to defend the SEC" after its postseason showing, calling the conference "terrible" this year.
- Yardbarker tallied the SEC at 4-9 in bowls and CFP games, while OutKick counted the league at 2-7 against other conferences, highlighting disagreement on exact figures but consensus on decline.
- Alabama's 38-3 Rose Bowl loss to No. 1 Indiana was cited as the starkest example of the SEC's struggles this postseason.
- Coaches quoted by The Athletic, as reported by OutKick, argued that legalized NIL and easier transfers have leveled the playing field and thinned traditional SEC depth advantages.
- Ole Miss remains the SEC's path to redemption with a CFP semifinal against Miami scheduled for Thursday at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.