In a recent chat on The Pat McAfee Show, legendary SEC coach Nick Saban opened up about why the Big Ten is starting to catch up to the SEC in college football. Saban thinks the big shift is all about money—specifically, the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals.
These NIL deals are helping Big Ten schools lure top players who might’ve stuck with Southern teams in the past. It’s a different world now, and Saban’s perspective is worth a closer look.
The Changing Dynamics of College Football
For years, the SEC has been the top dog in college football. Saban points to the South’s unique culture, where a lack of professional teams meant college football became the main event.
Fans and resources poured into programs like LSU, Alabama, and Georgia. That deep-rooted loyalty made these schools magnets for elite recruits.
The Role of NIL in Shifting the Balance
But things are shifting. With NIL, players can make real money from endorsements and sponsorships. Suddenly, where you grew up isn’t the only thing that matters when picking a school.
*Kids grew up wanting to go to LSU, Alabama, and Georgia. Got the money now. They don’t mind going to Ohio State. They don’t mind going to other places*, Saban said. It’s hard to argue with that logic.
Big Ten’s Financial Muscle
Big Ten schools, which didn’t always have the same recruiting pull, are now flexing their financial muscles. Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State can offer eye-popping NIL deals that level the playing field.
Money talks, and it’s starting to drown out old geographic loyalties.
Impact on Recruitment
This new setup is shrinking the SEC’s once-vast talent pool in the South. SEC schools now have to battle harder for local stars.
*So that geographic advantage that the Southeast Conference [had] may be changing a little bit now — with the different culture, with NIL and the money involved in decision-making*, Saban mentioned. It’s a different recruiting landscape, and honestly, it’s anybody’s game.
Future Implications for the SEC
The SEC still has an impressive depth of talent—there’s no denying that. With 15 or 16 teams in the mix, they’re not going away anytime soon.
But with the Big Ten’s financial firepower growing, the SEC can’t just lean on tradition and location. They’ll have to rethink how they keep their edge.
Strategic Adjustments
Maybe the answer is ramping up their own NIL programs. Or, maybe it’s about investing more in facilities and coaching to sweeten the deal for recruits.
One thing’s for sure: if the SEC wants to stay on top, they’re going to have to get creative and adapt to this new reality.
Nick Saban’s thoughts point to a real shakeup in college football. NIL deals are starting to tip the scales in ways we haven’t seen before.
The Big Ten’s got some serious financial muscle right now. It’s putting pressure on the SEC, which used to feel untouchable.
Can the SEC keep up? They’ll have to get creative with recruitment and maybe rethink how they handle money in this new era.
If you want to dig deeper into what Saban had to say, check out the full article on Sports Illustrated.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
