The SEC: It just means more. Or at least that's what the conference's marketing gurus and Auburn transfer quarterback Jarrett Stidham want us to think.
Stidham arrived at Auburn after leaving Baylor in 2016. He threw for 2,827 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Tigers in 2017. During his inaugural season, he ascertained the superiority of southern football culture as well as the top-to-bottom toughness of the league.
Al.com reporter Matt Zenitz caught up with Stidham at the Manning Passing Academy on Friday. Among other topics, Zenitz asked Stidham about advice for Joe Burrow, who transferred to LSU last month.
"I don't how it was up north, but people down south love their football. That's No. 1. No. 2, the SEC, it's a lot of fun. It's a grind. Every single week, you've got to be on your game. There's no cupcake teams in our league. You're going to get somebody's best every single week, so you've got to be physically and mentally prepared for those types of games and situations."
Stidham isn't the first SEC chauvinist, and he won't be the last. At least he admits he doesn't know how it is in the North.
Still, Burrow comes from a football culture that, when construction allows, routinely places 100,000 souls into Ohio Stadium to watch a spring game.
Meanwhile, the Tigers' regular season attendance has been on decline three years running.
From seccountry.com:
| Year | Average Home Game Attendance |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 101,723 |
| 2015 | 102,004 |
| 2016 | 101,231 |
| 2017 | 98,306 |
The good news for Tigers fans is Burrow could help those numbers, should he survive the SEC microscope and contribute to his new team.
