it usually is; that or the character I'm playin against being cheap/broken, etc. when it isn't I give props. Human Typhoon outplayed me the first time we played in the team tourney and at FRXI, Ando outplayed my X first to 3 in casuals (that was the only set I lost all weekend, or at least saturday and sunday). KrayzieCD was just plain better than me in sc3.
But usually when I lose to folks outside of atl, it's not as simple as me being less of a solid player. Most folks in atl will tell you that before I even say anything. Oh and if Krayzie were to use Mitsu against me or if Hates was to use Cervy against me in sc4, I would crush them. I am very confident about that. The players are good as fuck, but those characters can't beat Sophie. Mitsu can, it's hard, but Cervy can't.
edit: oh, you said SoCal...hmmm