I've always thought the two were equals, assuming Seifer could reach his full potential (which I don't think he did).

Squall on the other hand grew throughout the game, so I'd say by the time he reached Ultimecia, he was there or close to it.

Well... I'd like to say Seifer. Seifer should HAVE been the stronger one, but in the end, I think downplaying Seifer's role in FFVIII was one of the major mistakes SquareSoft made with that game.

Seifer took down Squall in the intro. Not only that, since he injured Squall, and there was no one else there, after receiving that Slash from Squall, he obviously carried Squall to the infirmary too.

Then... beyond the first battle you have with Seifer, nearly every time you face him, it's a 3 against 1 thing.

Should Seifer have been the stronger one? Yes, it'd make a lot of sense and fit into the story a lot more nicely, but SADLY... he wasn't, as the game proved by constantly let Squall and company take him down, by limiting his role to Ultimecca's lackey and by making all the battles with him sooo darn easy. XD

Why do you asume Squall must have been carried to the infirmary. As far as I could see he was perfectly able to walk by himself.
And Seifer only took down Squall because he was using a move not allowed in training. (pretty weak if you ask me) It had caught him off guard. Although I admit, he shouldn't have let people surprise him like that. SeeD's should be able to handle any situation.
As far as who's best. You have to battle Seifer in a few situations and in every one you have to win in order to continue with the game. But to be fair, it's usually three against one (although you could probably finish it with just Squall). I'm gonna go and call it a tie for now until I can think of some better arguments.

Well, the reason I assume this is cause Squall is pretty much unconcious in the infirmary. Now there is a slight chance that he walked ALL the way to the infirmary himself while dripping in blood and he THEN passed out, but I dunno, I just find that doubtful. I mean, if that were true, then Seifer would've been passed out with him, which he isn't. I'm assuming that while Squall also managed to land a hit, he did so later and probably already fainted/passed out due to blood loss.

I don't really think so, but again, it's speculation based on what we saw. In the intro for FFVIII, It seemed like they were BOTH pretty serious in the fight. Seifer was obviously loving it, and just before getting slashed in the face, Squall is pretty much on the offensive, before Seifer blasts him with that Fire spell or whatever else it is that he uses.

The rest, I pretty much agree with. Fair points, and I guess there's no sure fire way to prove who's right or wrong here, but I speculate that THIS may be the case (what I just stated XD)

Plot-wise, I'm gonna go with Seifer. Seifer was beaten one on one at Disk 1 but after that, it was 3 on 1.

I Would have to say Squall for several Reasons:

1. Obviously He has a bigger heart than Seifer which tells you one thing he fights for what he beleives in Seifer Dosent

2.Squall showed a change in Character wherehas Seifer did not he still was a cocky ****** at the end.

And

3. Squall never shows weakness as where seifer did