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The Southeastern Conference played its final game with commissioner Mike Slive at the helm on Saturday afternoon.
“I’ve been pleased to see the anticipation and excitement surrounding the first year of the College Football Playoff,” the commissioner said in a release. “The success of the semifinals was evidenced not only by the attendance at the games but also the high television ratings they registered.
“My congratulations go to Oregon and Ohio State for reaching the championship game. The SEC had a remarkable and unprecedented run of eight straight years in the title game and I look forward to seeing SEC teams compete in the CFP for many years to come.”
After serving as commissioner since 2002, Slive will retire in July. During his tenure the league won an unprecedented seven straight national titles from 2006-12, captured 67 total national titles and expanded with the additions of Missouri and Texas A&M. The league’s annual revenue sharing has increased from $95.7 million to $309.6 million for the 2013-14 academic year.
During his final football season the SEC sent an NCAA-record 12 teams to various bowl games. The league went 7-5 after Florida wrapped up the league’s season with a 28-20 victor over East Carolina in the Birmingham Bowl.
With the win the SEC tied its own NCAA single-season record for bowl wins by a conference with seven, although the Pac-12 can tie it if Oregon defeats Ohio State in the national championship game on Jan. 12.
Ohio State knocked off the SEC’s entry into the inaugural college football playoff, Alabama, 42-35 in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1.
The SEC also won seven bowl games in 2007 and 2013, and is 56-30 (.651) in bowl games since 2006. It’s won six or more each year but 2010, when the league finished 5-5.
Christopher Walsh has covered Alabama football since 2004 and is the author of 19 books. In his free time, he writes about college football.
