The landscape of college football is shifting fast. The Big Ten and SEC—arguably the sport’s biggest powerhouses—are locked in a standoff over the College Football Playoff (CFP) future.
On the field, though, the Big Ten has started to look like the clear frontrunner. The 2025-26 season brought Indiana’s unbeaten run and a solid bowl record for the conference, hinting at a real shift in where the power lies.
The Stalemate Over CFP Expansion
The Big Ten and SEC can’t agree on expanding the College Football Playoff past its current 12 teams. So, the CFP’s future is up in the air.
The SEC keeps pushing for a 16-team playoff, but the Big Ten seems fine with how things are now. This standoff really shows how both want to shape the future of college football to their liking.
Big Ten’s On-Field Dominance
While the suits argue, the Big Ten is racking up wins. The conference just grabbed its third straight national title in 2025-26, with Indiana leading the way.
The Hoosiers went 16-0, showing off the Big Ten’s depth and talent. Their 11-5 bowl record—good for a .688 winning percentage—was the best among the Power leagues.
Meanwhile, the SEC stumbled to a 4-10 bowl finish, with even big names like Alabama, Vanderbilt, and LSU falling short.
The Role of NIL in the Power Shift
Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals have played a big part in the Big Ten’s rise. Legendary coach Nick Saban has pointed out how the new culture of paying players, plus the transfer portal, has given the Big Ten an edge.
Saban thinks that southern players are more willing to head north if the money’s right. That’s brought a wave of talent into the Big Ten, and you can see it in the conference’s recent success.
Impactful Transfers and Roster Retention
The transfer portal is now a must-use tool for building competitive teams. SEC programs have actually done well here, snagging the top three transfer classes for 2026.
LSU, Ole Miss, and Texas all made splashy additions, but LSU’s pickup of five-star offensive tackle Jordan Seaton stands out. Texas, with Arch Manning sticking around, also brought in Auburn’s Cam Coleman and NC State’s Hollywood Smothers.
Indiana’s Cinderella Story
Indiana’s season was wild—proof that you don’t need a stacked roster to win it all. Head coach Curt Cignetti took a squad ranked 72nd nationally and led them to a perfect season and a national title.
They leaned on impact players from James Madison and Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza, who came in from Cal. Indiana’s run makes you wonder: with the right leadership, can any program pull off a turnaround?
The Future of the SEC
The SEC isn’t going anywhere. Even after a tough season, the conference is moving to a nine-game schedule in 2026, which should help the selection committee judge team résumés by strength of schedule.
Plus, every SEC team will have to play at least one Power Four opponent or Notre Dame each year. That means 10 out of 12 regular-season games will be against tough competition. The goal? Make the conference—and its playoff chances—stronger.
Key Matchups to Watch
Circle September 12, 2026—Texas hosts Ohio State in a matchup that could shape both teams’ playoff hopes. It’s an early-season showdown that might tip the scales in the SEC-Big Ten rivalry.
Ohio State, Indiana, and Oregon are all in the hunt for the national title, and how they fare against SEC teams is going to be a big storyline.
Conclusion
The landscape of college football feels like it’s shifting under our feet. The Big Ten’s been flexing its muscles lately, thanks to smart NIL deals and some crafty moves in the transfer portal.
Still, don’t count out the SEC. They’re not just sitting around—they’re tinkering, recruiting, and doing what they do best: pushing for that top spot.
Honestly, with all these changes, who really knows how it’ll shake out? The season ahead looks like it could get wild, and the debates over the CFP aren’t slowing down anytime soon.
If you’re curious and want to dive deeper into this Big Ten vs. SEC saga, check out the full story on CBS Sports.
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