Josh Pate declares if Big Ten has overtaken the SEC in college football in the future originally appeared on Sports news. Add The Sporting News as Favorite source by clicking here.
If it were up to podcaster and college football analyst Josh Pate, the Big Ten-SEC debate over which conference holds the cards isn’t even close.
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Pate said on a recent edition of “Josh Pate’s College Football Show” that the Big Ten deserves the same respectif not more, than the SEC in this current era of college football.
“The SEC is lagging behind the Big Ten at the top,” Pate said. “I would even venture to suggest that the middle tier is now at least comparable, if not slightly behind. That’s probably where my perception has changed in recent times, even more so than at the top. So I’m not beating the drum.”
Pate made an interesting complementary point: it doesn’t matter whether the Indiana Hoosiers are currently the class of the league. It’s the psychological framework that makes these players more refined than those in the SEC. And it goes well beyond just mental and physical strength, Pate said.
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“Maybe the average Big Ten player is wired a little differently, maybe they focus a little more on the football side of things, the mean, potato side of football, instead of the more scoring side of football,” Pate said.
This “wired” approach is the most unique part. This cannot be taught. This cannot be studied.
It’s just there.
“If you think it’s ridiculous, that’s because it is,” Pate said. “But it’s been standard practice in the SEC for some time. And I don’t think it’s the case in the Big Ten.”
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It’s unclear whether the narrative will shift back in the SEC’s favor, but for now, the Big Ten can continue to pursue excellence.
Entering Monday night’s game, a Potential Hoosiers win against Miami Hurricanes could further validate Pate’s argument while the SEC watches from the sidelines.
We will know soon.
