CEFL Photo Essay: Chapter III – The SEC Conference

The SEC finally has its own CEFL conference…Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia and Ole Miss. The SEC’s #1 goal this year was clear: break the Big Ten’s power grip over the Rose Bowl.

Alabama and Florida had high hopes as the season began, both had made prior Rose Bowl appearances. In addition, Ole Miss made some waves in several pre-season scrimmages and looked like a team that could launch a dangerous passing attack.

But only Georgia remained undeated by the end of the second Round, with a dominant victory over a solid Army squad. The most interesting game in Round 3 involved Georgia vs. Auburn. Georgia, seeking its third win, showed a balanced offensive attack, putting up 14 points on 100 rushing yards and 60 passing yards. Auburn struggled on the ground, but seemed to be able to put together a rickety passing drive with duct tape and glue that somehow held together.

Auburn managed to push the game into overtime, where Auburn’s QB heaved up a prayer and managed to complete a long TD pass. Georgia tried to replicate the Auburn magic, but without success. Auburn had managed to beat a seemingly superior Georgia team, leaving the SEC without an undefeated team after Round 3.

Round 4 saw Auburn, fresh off its miracle victory over Georgia fall to the rising juggernaut – Notre Dame. Later in Round 4, Alabama was able to knock off Georgia 14-7. Both teams seemed equally strong on the ground, but the ‘ol Crimson Tide scored on a touchdown pass and were able to tame the Dogs on defense.

By the time the middle of Round 5 rolled around, the SEC teams had pretty much beaten each other to a bloody pulp.

The final game of CEFL Season III saw Auburn travel to Tuscaloosa for a date with the Tide, with the winner taking the SEC crown. Logic suggested that Alabama would play a power rushing game against Auburn, since Alabama had recently defeated powerful Georgia with a consistent ground game and Auburn had to rely on miracle passes to take down the Dogs. Surprisingly, Auburn’s offsensive line seemed to match up well against Alabama’s defense, opening gaping holes for the Tiger backs to work with. The Tigers slid to a deceptively easy 10-0 shutout victory, putting up 132 rushing yards and holding Bama scoreless with only 30 yards on the ground and 27 through the air, leaving Auburn (3-2) with the SEC Championship crown.

Two CEFL conferences have crowned their champions – Big Ten Michigan and SEC Auburn. What about the Big Twelve and Pac-Ten Conferences? Will any power emerge to answer the growing challenge from Independent schools Navy and Notre Dame?

Find out in CEFL Season III: Chapter 4 – the Big Twelve Conference