Former Bama HC Nick Saban isn’t backing down when it comes to defending the SEC, even with four of the top five teams now coming from the Big 10. Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, the college football icon made his stance clear: “Ohio State and Oregon are as good as the SEC’s top teams. But the SEC is so much deeper, with 8 or 9 teams making the top 25 and playing against each other.” Sure, constant top-25 battles can take a toll on a team’s record. But what about the losses outside the SEC? Georgia got handled by Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl, marking a long-awaited victory for the Irish faithful. Alabama fell to Michigan. Shane Beamer‘s SC stumbled against Illinois. Only Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss held the line, leaving Duke in the dust.

Yet, the SEC refuses to back down. And the latest to wave the conference flag? Shane Beamer. The USA Today SEC Coach of the Year has made waves in recent seasons, but that’s not what’s putting him in the spotlight now. His relentless defense of the SEC has sparked fiery debates among analysts and insiders, questioning just how elite the conference truly is. But now, Beamer finds himself at a crossroads. With a troubling trend emerging in the SEC, the South Carolina head coach is facing a stern ultimatum. And the message is clear—prove the SEC’s dominance or risk being part of the downfall.

In a recent episode of That SEC Football Podcast, Cousin Shane laid down the challenge for Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks. He didn’t hold back, putting South Carolina on notice with a clear ultimatum.

“I don’t have South Carolina as high—I probably got them around the eighth spot. It’s because of their schedule, and I feel like they’ve got a pretty daunting schedule ahead of them. But they’ve got the athletes, and this seesaw of seasons that Shane Beamer continues to have—the last thing we need is another five or six-win season to take the wind out of the sails. It feels like you’ve got momentum, just like you did in ’22. Do something with it. Don’t squander it. It’s not easy—you’ve got Virginia Tech, Vandy, and Mizzou all in the first four weeks. It’s not going to be easy, but you can capitalize if you end September undefeated,” said Cousin Shane.

Looks like there are no more excuses—it’s time for Beamer and the Gamecocks to step up in the SEC race. But if the last two years have taught us anything, it’s that the SEC no longer has a stranglehold on the sport. For two straight seasons, no SEC team has made it to the CFP Finals. Yet, Beamer remains firm in his belief that the conference still holds an edge over the competition.

Beamer said, “Look, I’ve got great respect for other conferences. I’ve been to other conferences. I’ve been part of the ACC, I’ve been part of the Big 12. There’s no question that there’s good football everywhere.” So, Beamer keeps raising the SEC flag in spite of the changing environment. However, is his optimism still warranted, given the conference’s struggles to maintain its hold on college football’s crown?

Not sure, but the SEC’s hold on CFB isn’t only about winning titles; it’s also about creating the stars of tomorrow. With the exception of Vanderbilt, every SEC school had at least one player selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, continuing the conference’s 18-year domination in the selection process. However, the SEC is dominant outside of the NFL as well.

Additionally, the conference is in charge of the transfer portal and hiring. Nine distinct SEC clubs recruited a startling 66% of the country’s best 5-star recruits this year. The previous year? 10 institutions accounted for over 67% of the total. It’s evident that the SEC is just becoming stronger when you contrast that with 2021 when only 45% of five-star recruits selected the conference.

But Beamer is stirring things up in the middle of everything. The HC of South Carolina recently criticized an SEC program for fabricating injuries during games, which fueled even more contentious discussions within the conference.

Shane Beamer’s latest decision is creating quite a buzz

If the Gamecocks hadn’t made a mistake against Ole Miss, they could have been able to punch their ticket to the CFP. Both teams were on the outside looking in after barely missing the 12-team playoff cut with identical 9-3 records. And SC played some of their best football in the latter part of the season, giving them all the momentum. However, that one expensive setback ultimately sealed their doom.

Months later, though, Beamer is still not over it. He had expressed his frustration with the way “a team” treated his Gamecocks during the previous season. To be honest, it’s easy to figure out who he’s referring to. Ole Miss became known for their strategically placed defensive “injuries” that were ostensibly intended to slow down play. The Rebels have always been a formidable offensive force under Lane Kiffin, but can they stop opponents? Their weakness has been that. The debate isn’t going away anytime soon, and Beamer isn’t letting it go.

And he said, “A team that we played this season—it’s amazing how many times they had an injury on defense after the opposing offense made a first down on an explosive play and had some momentum.”

Does that sound familiar? The Rebels might have figured out how to stop the SC, and they might succeed again the next season. Although SC appears to be the more formidable team, will they be able to avoid another shootout? The SC were entertaining to watch, but they suffered in high-scoring contests. Additionally, it will be difficult to catch up because LaNorris Sellers thrives in a run-heavy system.

As of right now, South Carolina won’t have to wait long for retribution because of the SEC schedule change this season. This fall, the Gamecocks will play Ole Miss once more, and following the drama of the previous year, the contest is only going to get more intriguing.