The narrative that the SEC is losing its grip because Indiana won a title is lazy, but the conference has a structural problem nobody wants to address. Kentucky just hired J Batt from Michigan State as their new AD. That's a massive get for them, but it also highlights how the middle of the SEC is scrambling while the top keeps pulling away.
Lane Kiffin landing five-star edge rusher Chris Whitehead at LSU proves the elite programs are still locking down talent. But look at the gap between LSU and Georgia at the top versus the rest of the league. Florida finished 34th in defensive SP+ last season but allowed 5.8 yards per play in conference games. That's not a talent problem, that's a scheme consistency problem that no AD hire can fix overnight.
The SEC East is becoming a two-tier system. Georgia is loading up five-stars. Kentucky is making smart administrative moves. Florida is stuck in the middle with a defense that ranks in the top 40 nationally but can't get off the field on third down against the top half of the schedule. The numbers dont lie.