Dec 1, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Dec 1, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver DeAndrew White (2) holds the SEC sign after winning the 2012 SEC Championship game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Georgia Dome. Alabama won 32-28. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

You have to go back to 2005 to find a BCS Championship game that was not won by a team in the SEC conference.

Since that BCS win by Texas over USC 41-38, Florida won two games, LSU and Auburn have each won one, and Alabama has captured three wins in the last four championships.

I’m only 18 years old, but I can barely remember a time when the Big Ten, Pac-12, and Big 12 were even relevant when it came to winning a national championship.

So why has the SEC become such a powerhouse in college football?

It starts with the very beginning of the SEC winning streak seven years ago, and possibly even a bit before. In 2006, The Florida Gators powered their way to a 41-14 destruction of the No. 1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes.

From then on, the SEC was in complete control. Or was it really?

You see, from 2005 through 2010, there were never more than two SEC teams ranked in the top 10 teams nationally. We saw plenty of space in those other spots taken up by teams in conferences such as the Big Ten. The difference is that in each of those years, an SEC team was ranked either No. 1 or No. 2.

It’s a matter of a small group of schools carrying over success to represent a conference for an extended period of time. Really, it isn’t the whole SEC that deserves the ton of hype that it receives. Or it wasn’t always like that. It was two or three teams that had repeated success.

Dec 3, 2011; Atlanta, GA, USA; A general view of the SEC logo at mid-field after the 2011 SEC championship game between the LSU Tigers and Georgia Bulldogs at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

The Bengals have an ongoing trend that may be unnoticed most fans. This trend is one Mike Brown hopes will translate to success on the professional level as it has proved to do so on the collegiate platform. Currently the Cincinnati Bengals have 20 former SEC players on the team roster. Whether this is coincidence or design is unknown, but one can’t help but notice such a high number especially when players from the Southeastern Conference are being picked so high in the draft.
It is impossible to think that with so many players from different schools in the same conference that there isn’t some sort of inner locker room rivalry. Most of the Bengals’ SEC players came from the University of Georgia. Six to be exact. There are 3 former Florida Gators, two Kentucky Wildcats and Alabama Crimson Tide players each and one player from South Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, LSU and Auburn.

Apr 27, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals first round draft picks Dre Kirkpatrick and Kevin Zeitler with head coach

In looking at the Bengals’ stellar 2012 draft it’s hard to pick out any one player from the bunch who might have the most immediate impact for their team. While speculative in essence, it’s still usually easier to just say whoever they drafted with their 1st round pick will make the biggest splash. Thanks to former Raiders coach Hue Jackson (now back with the Bengals coaching staff), Cincinnati was able to snag two first round selections in CB Dre Kirkpatrick (Alabama) and G Kevin Zeitler (Wisconsin) both oh whom could see a lot of action right away. So let me start by whittling the list down to the top possibilities.

Just Missing the Cut:

DT Devon Still- A 6’5 305lb monster from Penn State, who some were surprised to see fall to the 53rd pick, was a Nagurski finalist last year. He made numerous impact plays in his opponents backfield all year and knows how to wrap up and tackle. I’m leaving him out of my top 3 because he’s in a deep rotation of guys on the defensive line and he may see limited time compared to the other draft picks.

FS George Iloka- The Boise State product teeters on the brink of safety and linebacker. He’s just the type of safety Mike Zimmer loves to utilize, but he could take time to develop.

TE Orson Charles- When the Bengals selected  the University of Georgia they added another former SEC player to their roster (that’s 21 if they sign Charles & Kirkpatrick). While he was once the highest rated tight end prospect, his character issues saw him drop to the Bengals with the 1st pick in the 4th round. He has the talent to make an impact but we probably won’t see enough this year to crown him the biggest impact rookie as he’ll be behind Jermaine Gresham and Donald Lee on the depth chart.