Big Ten Dominates as CFP Expansion Stalls Amid SEC Stalemate
The landscape of college football is shifting fast. The Big Ten Conference is suddenly the new powerhouse, while the SEC seems to be losing its grip on the top spot.
The latest standoff between these two conferences over College Football Playoff (CFP) expansion has left the future of the tournament up in the air. On the field, though, the Big Ten’s got the edge—just look at their recent bowl game records.
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The Current State of the College Football Playoff
Despite a lot of talk, the Big Ten and SEC couldn’t agree on expanding the College Football Playoff. Next year’s bracket will stay at 12 teams.
This deadlock shows just how much these two conferences are jockeying for power. Each has its own idea for the CFP’s direction, but neither is budging.
Big Ten’s Recent Dominance
The Big Ten has been on a real tear lately. The conference snagged its third straight national title in the 2025-26 season, with Indiana running the table at 16-0.
That win made Indiana the third different Big Ten team to claim the championship in three years. It’s hard not to notice the depth and competitiveness there.
The Big Ten also finished with an 11-5 bowl record, a .688 winning percentage—best of any conference. The ACC came next at 9-5, and the Big 12 went 4-4.
The SEC? Not their best year. They stumbled to a 4-10 finish, with heavyweights like Alabama, Vanderbilt, and LSU all taking tough losses.
Factors Contributing to the Big Ten’s Success
So, why is the Big Ten rolling? A few things stand out: Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, smart roster management, and some well-timed coaching hires.
Nick Saban, the legend himself, says NIL has tipped the scales north. He thinks the ability to pay players has drawn talent to Big Ten schools that used to stay away from the cold.
Strategic Coaching and Player Development
Take Indiana’s rise under coach Curt Cignetti. He used to work with Saban, and now he’s led Indiana to a perfect season with a roster ranked just 72nd in the country.
That’s a wild turnaround, honestly. It just shows what a difference good coaching and player development can make.
Urban Meyer, who used to run the show at Ohio State, saw this coming too. He predicted the Big Ten’s rise last summer, and, well, he nailed it—especially after Michigan’s dramatic win over Alabama in the Rose Bowl.
The SEC’s Struggles and Future Prospects
Since Georgia’s blowout 65-7 win over TCU for the 2023 title, the SEC has had a rough go in playoff games against teams outside the conference. They’re just 1-5 in those matchups, including Alabama’s 35-point loss to Indiana in Pasadena.
There were some upsets too, like Miami knocking off Texas A&M and Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl. Not exactly the SEC’s finest hour.
Transfer Portal and Roster Management
Even with the struggles, the SEC’s still flexing its muscles in roster building. They landed the top three classes in the 2026 transfer portal cycle—LSU, Ole Miss, and Texas led the way.
Kentucky had its best showing ever, coming in ninth overall. Not bad at all.
Some SEC teams, like first-time playoff squads Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and Miami, have really worked the transfer portal. LSU even landed five-star offensive tackle Jordan Seaton, which should help them stay in the top 10 for preseason rankings.
Looking Ahead: Key Matchups and Future Implications
The debate over SEC and Big Ten supremacy isn’t going anywhere. One matchup people are already circling is Texas hosting Ohio State on September 12.
That early-season game could shake up the playoff picture. Texas, with Arch Manning at quarterback, is turning into a magnet for top transfers.
SEC’s New Scheduling Format
The SEC is switching to a nine-game conference schedule in 2026. This could help the selection committee get a better read on team résumés based on strength of schedule.
Also, every SEC school will have to play at least one Power Four opponent or Notre Dame each year. That means at least 10 of their 12 regular-season games will be against Power Four competition.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey sounds pretty bullish about the league’s future. He’s pushing for a 16-team playoff and thinks the SEC’s got the cards to make it happen, especially with their recruiting and transfer portal success.
Conclusion: A New Era in College Football
The balance of power in college football seems to be shifting. The Big Ten is starting to look like the new top dog, thanks to sharp coaching moves and some smart roster decisions.
NIL deals? They’ve definitely played a part in the Big Ten’s rise, too. Still, you can’t count out the SEC—they’ve got a knack for recruiting and working the transfer portal that keeps them in the hunt year after year.
The whole CFP expansion debate isn’t going away anytime soon. With the rivalry between the Big Ten and SEC heating up, the next few seasons are bound to get interesting.
Honestly, it’s hard not to get excited about the matchups coming our way. If you want to dig deeper into how this all shakes out, check out the original article on CBS Sports.
