There seems to be a strong camaraderie between SEC fans, especially during bowl season. Of course, this is the time of year when a majority of SEC teams both in and out of the playoff face off against other Power 4 conference opponents, and a lot of bragging rights are on the table. I am a fan of the SEC as I recognize the conference as the best in the land on the gridiron.
Top to bottom, year in and out there isn't a tougher conference. However, I do have rules for what SEC teams I hope do well during bowl season. I refuse to cheer for rivals such as Auburn or Tennessee no matter who they are playing in a bowl game. Last Saturday, despite having no love for Ohio State seeing them destroy the Volunteers brought a certain warmth to my heart.
Also, despite not being true rivals I don't want to see either Georgia or Texas win the National Title this year. Maybe because these two teams are the biggest challenges to being above or at the same level as the Crimson Tide on a consistent basis. I also think about it and doubt any Bulldogs or Longhorns fans would be cheering for us if roles were reversed.
Also, there is little or no chance of me wanting to see LSU or Florida win their bowl games either. LSU has turned into more of a mainstay rival since Saban came to Tuscaloosa, and the dislike of the Gators from the many yearly battles in Atlanta during the 90s still stays strong with me today.
That leaves the list of SEC teams I don't mind seeing win during bowl season and that would be both Mississippi teams, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Mizzou, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Oklahoma. A lot of these teams outside of OU don't have consistent success so it means more when they do put together a bowl-winning season. People always tell me I should cheer for the entire conference during the playoff and bowl season due to helping the SEC long term, but my feeling is Alabama will be fine whether standing alone at the top or standing atop the best conference in America.