Don't Be Surprised if the SEC Comes Out On Top in the Bowl Season Once Again!

Defense Wins Championships!

I grew up hearing those three words. And as far as I can recall, whether it be the sport of football, pro or college, basketball, baseball, or what have you, that has been the winning team's most notable attribute.

I seriously can not recall a championship team that ever had a bad or even mediocre defense.

I remember my beloved Tide winning the '92 national championship with an average offense. I seem to recall a pro team or two doing the same with an average offense.

Tampa Bay, a few years ago, comes to mind going to the Super Bowl with an average offense. I am sure there are others in other sports, too.

But winning a championship with a bad defense? Never!

Now, on to this season's bowl games!

There has been plenty of discussion on here and elsewhere about the SEC having great defenses, which the statistics seem to bear out, but also having bad offenses.

There has been plenty of discussion on here and elsewhere about the Big 12 having great offenses, which the statistics seem to bear out, but also having bad defenses.

With the Oklahoma-Florida matchup being the BCS NC game this year, it has been a hotly debated subject as to the differences between the two conferences and offense versus defense.

But there is other bowl games besides this game and they will also play a big part in answering the debate as to who and what wins championships and to who is the best conference.

Being an SEC homer, I admit I don't know a whole lot about most of the SEC's opponents in the bowls, with exception of some of the Big 12 teams. Mainly because of the Big 12's games this season that caught every ones attention nationally as their outcomes impacted the whole college football scene.

With that said, I will go down the list of the SEC bowl games and do my best to analyze what I think will happen starting with the first SEC team to play in a bowl game, Vanderbilt, Dec. 31 in Nashville in the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl against Boston College.

Don't know a lot about Boston College other than they lost in the ACC championship game to Va. Tech. But that says plenty!

Boston College, I imagine, would love to be anywhere but Nashville this year and that could be a key. Vanderbilt, for all intents and purposes, is playing at home, being that they are located in Nashville.

Vanderbilt is playing in their first bowl game in forever and should be motivated for that fact if nothing else. Vanderbilt got to the bowl with their defense and nothing much more. But even with a great defense, you have to have some resemblance of an offense, if for no other reason than to give your defense a break.

How will Vandy's players and coaches react to a bowl game? I have no idea. With that fact alone I have to go with Boston College on this one. Vandy I think will play with a lot of enthusiasm and heart and I think will keep it respectable but my best guess is....B.C. 24 - Vandy 10

LSU is next on the list in the Chick-fil-A Bowl Dec. 31, in Atlanta, against Georgia Tech.

Everything here points to a big Georgia Tech win. The game's being played in Georgia Tech's home town. Georgia Tech blew Miss. St. out and beat Georgia in a shootout, both SEC teams.

LSU after winning the big prize last season was just plain disappointing following it up with a 7-5 season this year.

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