The league's successes run parallel with its excesses. Since the NCAA began tracking major infractions cases in 1953, the SEC institutions have been penalized 48 times, an average of sanctions every 13½ months.
That's in line with other conferences.
Using current conference alignments, the Big 12 leads BCS affiliates with 55 infractions cases, followed by the SEC, the Pac-10 (41) and the Big Ten (40).
Yet, of all the conferences, the SEC has perhaps the worst reputation for cheating.
"I don't think it's fair to say the SEC is worst," said David Ridpath, an assistant professor of sports administration at Ohio University and executive director of The Drake Group, which advocates comprehensive reform of college athletics.
"I've always believed the mid-majors are the worst because they're trying to keep up with the big schools and they cut corners to do so.
"I think the reason the SEC gets more attention is because if you have a secondary violation at Alabama, Auburn or Mississippi State, the media interest and Internet buzz it generates is huge. The perception is that they must be doing nefarious things, and that's not fair."
