Josh Pate's College Football Show Is the SEC on the Decline? | Thoughts on Lane Kiffin Situation with Cole Cubelic
Jan 7, 2026
Cole Cubelic, a college football analyst and former Auburn center, dives deep into the current state of the SEC. He argues that while the SEC remains top-tier, its dominance is fading. They dissect the impact of bowl records on perceptions of conference strength and how NIL and the transfer portal have created talent parity. Cole also critiques SEC staffing practices and discusses the implications of Lane Kiffin's move to LSU. Overall, a candid look at the evolving landscape of college football.
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Don't Overvalue Bowl Records
- Don't use bowl records as definitive proof of conference strength because opt-outs and mismatched matchups distort results.
- Judge conferences earlier in the season or by broader measures like talent distribution and coaching depth.
Big Ten Emphasizes Team Over Stars
- The Big Ten is building teams more around collective experience and role players rather than pure star acquisition.
- That cultural difference can produce steadier teams even when talent ratings favor the SEC.
Recruiting Culture Shapes Team Construction
- Recruiting culture matters: the Southeast places outsized emphasis on rankings and star power compared with other regions.
- That mindset drives SEC programs to prioritize high-ceiling recruits sometimes over role-player experience.