OT: A peak into what one SEC coach thinks of the recent events

[cubuffsdoug]

I'm not a fan of Kiffin, and I think he's an ass, but he said a few things that are telling.

"I mean, I just say how it is, I don't know that there's a huge jump into the Big Ten," Kiffin said. "I think going to the SEC is a whole 'nother animal. It's a different world. Said it for a long time: the SEC just means more. And it does. It's different, it's ahead of the game."

The recent moves by the B1G have rattled the cage of the SEC, even if they don't say it. The typical response is to downplay the event or be slick in taking shots at the other person(s). Kiffin decided to take shots. He talks about the NIL and how that will separate the SEC from others. I'm sure he was including most of the B1G. The SEC may feel it can't compete with the B1G for the tv deal, but they can buy the players to make their league the best talent-wise. By doing this, the idea is to make everyone else second-class and less desirable.

Additionally, Kiffin focused in on name, image and likeness during his time at the lectern. Kiffin was asked what works best in the NIL world of college football and was candid about what he believes is really driving things in the SEC.

"It's like a payroll in baseball," Kiffin said. "What teams win over a long period of time? Teams that have high payrolls and can pay players a lot. We're in a situation not any different than that. I said day one, you legalize cheating, so get ready for the people that have the most money to get players. Now you have it. It is what it is."

Anyone too young to remember the Southwest Conference may not recognize the NIL is what that conference was doing before it was legal. Every team in that league bought players like it was nothing, which led to the death penalty for SMU and the breakup of the conference. It was a significant reason the SWC was successful, and by legalizing it, it has made Texas A&M and Texas beasts again on the recruiting trail. Kiffin jokes about the money A&M and Texas are tossing around. It's hard to match oil money.

Lane Kiffin downplays Big Ten realignment, likens NIL to baseball payrolls in 2022 SEC Media Days appearance

 

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[Richie O]

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