SEC Basketball is Worse Than Advertised, Screw ESPN, and the ITNOT Top 25

After having two days to stew on Alabama's opening game loss to Mercer, my outlook for this season is not getting too positive.

Sure, it's just one game, and things could easily turn around, but the lack of physicality and passion shown against Mercer is a big cause for concern.

This is on top of the fact Alabama could have one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country this season for a team from a "BCS" conference. Alabama still has three games in Maui, Texas A&M, Georgia Tech, and at Clemson. That could easily be five more losses going off of the way Bama played on Sunday night.

But it is not just Alabama that was disappointing, it is the entire SEC. Just take a look around at the opening games for SEC teams this season:

• Kentucky lost to Virginia Military Institute 111-103 and gave up 57 points in the first half.
• Arkansas had to go to overtime to beat Southeastern Louisiana.
• Georgia, defending SEC Tournament Champion, had their own behinds handed to them on a silver platter by Loyola-Illinois 74-53.
• And, of course, Alabama looking absolutely uninspired against Mercer in a 72-69 loss.

Things are not going to get better soon for Kentucky, as they face the mighty North Carolina Tar Heels on ESPN tonight.

Speaking of ESPN, the Worldwide Leader in Sports has struck a deal with the BCS to get all BCS bowls, minus the Rose, and the BCS Championship Game starting in 2011 through 2014.

This means that the BCS bowls for the 2010 season will be broadcast on ESPN.

Sure, this may seem like a proud day for Disney, considering they now hold every BCS game thanks to ABC's contract with the Rose Bowl, but lets look into what this now means for fans.

The argument for people who use antenna's is almost moot considering the Digital Transition that will take place in February of next year, but there are still those people who have gone and bought HD antennas.

Because ESPN is not broadcast as a basic local channel with a national affiliate, Joe Schmo will not be able to watch the national championship game or any other bowl game before New Year's Day for that matter.

This move is just the latest for the growing monopoly that is ESPN/Disney. Not only do they now have television deals with every BCS conference and the BCS itself, they have that huge deal with the SEC starting next season, they get the NBA playoffs and Finals on ABC, Monday Night Football, and an average of three baseball games a week plus playoffs.

In other words, if Hockey hadn't bit the dust for a year, ESPN would hold rights to every major sport. O yes, not to mention the US Open will now move to ESPN as well.

Anyways, it is time for this week's Top 25, which does not see much change near the top.

ITNOT Top 25

1. Alabama
2. Texas Tech
3. Florida
4. Oklahoma
5. Texas
6. USC
7. Penn State
8. Utah
9. Boise State
10. Ohio State
11. Georgia
12. Oklahoma State
13. TCU
14. Ball State
15. Missouri
16. Michigan State
17. LSU
18. BYU
19. Virginia Tech
20. Pittsburgh
21. North Carolina
22. Cincinnati
23. Oregon State
24. Maryland
25. Northwestern

But wait, there is bonus over the next two weeks!!!!

In honor of the Iron Bowl in 11 days, 2 hours, and 30 minutes (yes, I am counting), I will show my absolute love to the Cow College across the state everyday in some way, shape, form, or fashion. Since I missed yesterday, I will give an extra one today.

Auburn fans are so confident in beating Alabama this season that the Huntsville Auburn club went as far as to cancel their annual Beat Bama Party this year. Don't believe me? Just take a look for yourself.