I don't know about you, but I need a break from all this bad economic news and the endless back-and-forth between the two presidential candidates. I'm glad it's college football season. At least there are a few hours each week to take our minds off the gloom and doom.
College football is a passion for me. I grew up watching it with my late father, who attended the University of Georgia briefly and loved the Bulldogs. I graduated from Auburn University. And there are few things that can keep me away from the television when my beloved Tigers are playing. Although some would argue that Auburn's season has been somewhat like the economy.
I admit my bias, but I believe Auburn plays in the toughest conference in college football, the Southeastern Conference. Steve Shaw agrees. He's a veteran S.E.C. referee and the subject of a story I produced on the tough, but thankless job college football officials perform each week. Please take time to view that story, then watch for Steve as he and his crew officiate one of the most anticipated games this season Saturday night, when Florida hosts the defending national champions, LSU.
But back to the issue of which conference is the best in college football, veteran sportswriter Frank DeFord writes an intriguing column on why he believes the S.E.C. Is the nation's best. Read it here.