SEC Network Host: The Big Ten Has Not Surpassed The SEC
01/22/2025 05:34 PM
One SEC Network host isn't ready to hand college football's crown to the Big Ten.
For the first time in the College Football Playoff era, the SEC went two straight years without sending a representative to the National Championship Game. Meanwhile, Ohio State followed arch-enemy Michigan as the Big Ten's second straight champion.
Many observers believe the SEC can no longer claim college football supremacy. However, Peter Burns argued that these two years are merely a blip rather than a new era.
"No, the Big 10 hasn't surpassed the SEC as a football league," Burns said. "Two teams having historic runs in back to back seasons is a nice outlier rather than the norm. Incredibly top heavy league who's had just two teams that have won a title in 35+ years. Stop this nonsense."
Burns may want to take up his opposition with Paul Finebaum. The prominent ESPN voice is often criticized for perceived SEC favoritism, but even he gave the Big Ten its flowers following Ohio State's win.
"The Big Ten, at the moment, owns college football. And there's no way you can say it doesn't," Finebaum said on Tuesday's Get Up. "When you go back-to-back, that's generational. In Ohio State's case, they beat two SEC schools along the way ... It's an uncomfortable feeling for the SEC, which has owned the sport, but it's a reality this morning."
The SEC sent teams to eight straight National Championship Games and won six titles from the 2015 to 2022 seasons. Seven SEC programs are in this year's final AP Top 25.
Two years without a champion may seem like an eternity to a conference accustomed to dominance. It doesn't help that members fell short against Big Ten opponents along the way.
Ohio State steamrolled past Tennessee in a 42-17 first-round win and notched a 28-14 victory over Texas in the semifinal. The SEC's other CFP participant, Georgia, lost its first game to Notre Dame.
Last postseason, Michigan defeated Alabama in a thrilling Rose Bowl. The Wolverines then topped Washington, which has since joined the Big Ten, to win the title.
It's probably too soon to write off the SEC, but the Big Ten has at least narrowed the gap.
Related: Paul Finebaum After Ohio State's Win: 'The Big Ten Owns College Football'
