Now the SEC, which has produced the past five BCS national champions, seems assured of winning its sixth in a row. The next two weeks will decide whether the Tigers, Crimson Tide or Razorbacks will play for the national title.

"It's a tribute to the quality of play in this league," SEC commissioner Michael Slive said. "I've often said historians will look back on this time and will no doubt consider this one of the SEC's golden ages."