No Weak Link in S.E. Conference : Football: SEC was only league to place three teams in last year’s final Top 10.

Miami was college football’s team of the 1980s. But what about the conference of the decade?

The strongest claim belongs to the Southeastern.

During the 1980s, the SEC had the best winning percentage against outside opponents (.690) plus the most bowl appearances (56), bowl victories (29) and Heisman Trophy winners (Herschel Walker of Georgia and Bo Jackson of Auburn).

Although the SEC produced only one national champion (Georgia, 1980) during the decade, that was as many as any other conference. The SEC also led all leagues in Top 20 appearances, and was the only conference with three teams in last year’s final Top 10.

“Most conferences have got two really strong programs, but top to bottom there isn’t one close to the SEC,” Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden said.

Florida State is an independent, but the Seminoles are considering joining the SEC. The league just lured Arkansas from the Southwest Conference and further expansion is expected.

Arkansas Coach Jack Crowe said the Razorbacks will have a much harder time winning in the SEC than they did in the SWC.

“We’re going from first place in the Southwest Conference to fifth in the SEC,” he said.

Tennessee, Auburn and Alabama tied for the SEC title last season and this year’s race should be just as close.

Auburn has to replace quarterback Reggie Slack, but the Tigers return their two top rushers, highly touted offensive lineman Ed King and a hard-hitting defense.

“We’re not a finished product by any means,” Coach Pat Dye said. “But we have the makings to be a good football team.”

Tennessee, coming off a surprising 11-1 season, will feature running back Chuck Webb, the league’s second leading rusher last season.

Alabama, under new Coach Gene Stallings, should have an explosive offense with quarterback Gary Hollingsworth and 1,000-yard runner Siran Stacy. But the Tide has to fill some huge holes on defense created by the departure of linebacker Keith McCants, nose guard Willie Wyatt and cornerback John Mangum.

In the Atlantic Coast Conference, Virginia and Clemson are expected to battle for the championship.

Virginia, which tied Duke for the league title last season, wants Moore of the same this season--specifically the pass-catch combination of quarterback Shawn Moore and receiver Herman Moore.

Shawn was the nation’s fourth-leading passer last year, while Herman set a school record with 10 TD catches.

Clemson starts the season with a new coach and an old style.

Ken Hatfield left Arkansas to replace Danny Ford, who resigned after an NCAA investigation of the Clemson program. But Hatfield will stick with the same ball-control offense and attacking defense that made Clemson a national power under Ford.

Despite the strength of the SEC, the two best teams in the South may once again be independents.

Miami won the national championship last season, while Florida State finished third. Both figure to contend for the national title again this season.

The Hurricanes’ offense will be led by Craig Erickson, who passed for 2,007 yards and 16 touchdowns last season despite missing three games with a broken finger. The team’s biggest problem will be replacing Cortez Kennedy and Greg Mark, the anchors of last year’s dominating defense.

Florida State must replace quarterback Peter Tom Willis and tailback Dexter Carter, but the Seminoles have plenty of talent returning on offense. The defensive leader is linebacker Kirk Carruthers, who led the team with 145 tackles last season.

Last year, Florida State handed Miami its only defeat. The rematch takes place Oct. 6 at Miami.