Former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer contends that the Big Ten Conference has not only caught up to but has now surpassed the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in college football, pointing to recent national championship victories and enhanced stadium atmospheres.
Meyer, speaking with host Colin Cowherd, stated that the shift occurred towards the end of his tenure at Ohio State. He believes the Big Ten's athletic talent and depth now rival the SEC's, a long-held benchmark in the sport. Meyer also highlighted the significant improvements in Big Ten venues and the passion of their fanbases, suggesting they now match or exceed those in the SEC.
"The teams weren't close. The venues weren't close. The passion of the fans wasn't close, it's caught up," Meyer said. "And like you said, last year it bypassed the SEC."
This assertion follows a three-year streak of national championships claimed by Big Ten schools: Michigan in 2023-2024, Ohio State in 2024-2025, and Indiana in a 16-0 season in 2025-2026. The article notes that heading into the 2026-2027 season, Ohio State and Oregon are considered top contenders, with traditional SEC powerhouses like Georgia and Texas potentially facing greater challenges from teams such as Notre Dame and Miami.
Meyer's comments come amid a period of renewed debate over conference supremacy in college football, a discussion often dominated by the SEC's success over the past decade, driven by programs like Alabama and Georgia. The recent Big Ten dominance has provided fuel for fans and figures associated with the conference to assert its current superiority.
While acknowledging the renowned passion of SEC fanbases and iconic venues like LSU's Death Valley and Florida's The Swamp, Meyer identified several Big Ten schools with formidable atmospheres. These include Oregon, Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, and Nebraska, with Washington, Iowa, and Illinois also noted as tough places to play. The article also suggests that Indiana's Memorial Stadium will see heightened energy as the defending champions.
Meyer's perspective suggests that the perception of the SEC's consistent dominance, often summarized by the slogan "it just means more," is being challenged by the Big Ten's recent achievements and its improved overall infrastructure and fan engagement.
The discussion implies that the competitive landscape of college football is shifting, with the Big Ten establishing itself as a premier conference. The article concludes by noting that both conferences boast passionate fanbases, historic venues, and elite programs, contributing to the overall appeal of college football.
