SEC and Big Ten Bowl Matchups Could Settle Debate Over Conference Superiority

Larry Burton (Syndicated Writer) Long has been the debate over which is the best conference.

This season has made it abundantly clear that it is not the Big East, ACC, Big 12, Mountain West or Pac-10.

Only two conferences top to bottom show strength, the SEC and the Big Ten.

Will this year's bowl contests settle the argument, or simply cause it to explode in more debate?

The top of the chart pits a one-loss Ohio State team against a two-loss Arkansas team in the BCS Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. The boys in Vegas say that this game is a close one, but favor Ohio State by 2.5 points. This could be a high-scoring game indeed as both feature talented quarterbacks.

Both have adequate defenses, but expect the offenses here to steal the show.

Important Stats (Ranked Nationally) 

Points Scored: Ohio State No. 3, Arkansas No. 16 

Points Allowed: Ohio State No. 11, Arkansas No. 43   

Passing Offense: Ohio State No. 55, Arkansas No. 3 

Rushing Offense: Ohio State No. 14, Arkansas No. 65 

Passing Defense: Ohio State No. 4, Arkansas No. 16

Rushing Defense: Ohio State No. 4, Arkansas No. 68

By the rankings and stats alone, Ohio State should simply run the ball down Arkansas' throat and run away with the game.

But it won't happen.

Then we go to Alabama versus Michigan State. I have previously written up just how well these two teams are matched up.

This could be the most intriguing game of the four as both teams have such similar traits and stats.

The Gator Bowl features a surprising Mississippi State team taking on Michigan. Let's just dispense with the build up. Michigan was lucky to have made a bowl at all, and it will show.

This will just make firing Rich Rodriguez even easier.

Last we have the Outback Bowl, which features two teams, Penn State and Florida, with disappointing seasons meeting in a sort of consolation bowl.

But a win will be a boost to start next year, and when you've had a bad season, next year is always a bright spot to look at.

In this game, Florida's superior talent will simply overwhelm the Nittany Lions and shouldn't be much of a contest.

So that leaves us with two sure SEC winners and two that could be close. If they split, the arguments will heat up as to which has the best.

An Alabama win would show a three-loss SEC team is better than a one-loss Big Ten team and could really help settle the debate.

Arkansas chipping in a win in an upset of sorts would simply end the debate, at least for this year.

Ah, but there is always next year.