Big Ten dominance challenges SEC as college football media days begin

By Olivia Hughes — 21 July 2026 — 4 min read

As the World Cup concludes, the focus shifts to college football with the start of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) media days. This transition highlights a period where the Big Ten has shown significant dominance in national titles, prompting discussions about the evolving landscape of college football.

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables was among the first to speak at the SEC media days in Tampa, Florida. The event, held at the Tampa Marriott, marks the unofficial beginning of the college football season, even though kickoff is still a month away. Despite the enthusiasm from fans gathered outside the SEC Network set, the conference’s long-standing claim of being college football royalty has faced recent challenges.

SEC’s recent performance and financial standing

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey highlighted the league’s achievements in his opening remarks. He noted that SEC football remains the second most-watched sports property in the United States, trailing only the National Football League. Sankey also emphasized the league’s average attendance of 80,000 fans per game, which he stated is the highest average attendance for any sport globally.

Furthermore, Sankey mentioned that the SEC secured 13 national championships across various sports during the past school year, surpassing its previous record of 10. However, a notable absence from these championships was football, marking the league’s longest drought in that sport since the period between 1999 and 2002. This lack of football titles comes at a time when the conference’s traditional slogan, “It Just Means More,” faces increased scrutiny.

Financially, the SEC reached a milestone last year by exceeding $1 billion in earnings for the first time. Despite this, the Big Ten reported higher earnings, generating $1.74 billion. The SEC also continues to engage in discussions regarding the future of college football, with Sankey addressing topics such as Congressional involvement and the need for transparency in the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) field.

Big Ten’s rise and competitive landscape

The Big Ten has recently taken control in college football, securing the last three national titles with three different teams. In head-to-head matchups against SEC rivals over the past three seasons, the Big Ten holds a 4-0 record. This success is partly attributed to a substantial media-rights deal and an expanded geographic footprint that now spans from coast to coast.

The league’s growth has been bolstered by the efforts of former Commissioner Kevin Warren, who negotiated the critical television deal and led the expansion that brought new teams into the conference. The on-field success of teams like Oregon, which achieved a College Football Playoff quarterfinal berth followed by a semifinal spot in its two years, has further solidified the Big Ten‘s position.

While the SEC still boasts a strong lineup of teams, including Georgia, Texas, LSU, and Alabama, and is considered by some to be the nation’s deepest and most complete conference, the Big Ten features elite heavyweights such as Ohio State, Indiana, and Oregon. These teams are seen as national title contenders, with USC and Michigan also having the potential for deep playoff runs.

The current landscape suggests a significant gap between the top two conferences and the rest of the Power Four. The Big 12, while competitive and unpredictable with teams like Utah and Texas Tech, is noted for lacking a clear national title favorite. The ACC, on the other hand, faces more uncertainty, with Miami appearing to be its primary national contender, but with many questions surrounding other programs like Clemson and Florida State.

Coaching changes and future outlook for the SEC

The SEC‘s recent dip in football success coincides with the retirement of coach Nick Saban and a decline in some of the league’s traditional power bases. For instance, Auburn has experienced five losing seasons and an average of 6.9 wins per year since its 2013 national title. Florida, a program that won two national titles under Urban Meyer, has seen four head coaches since, none finishing higher than sixth nationally.

This season, the SEC introduces six new head coaches: Alex Golesh at Auburn, Jon Sumrall at Florida, Will Stein at Kentucky, Ryan Silverfield at Arkansas, Pete Golding at Ole Miss, and Lane Kiffin at LSU. Kiffin’s move to Baton Rouge marks a return to the SEC, though he is new to his current role. These coaching changes are seen as a critical factor in addressing the SEC‘s recent struggles and shaping its future dynamics.

Last year, 10 SEC teams were ranked in the preseason top 25. However, two of these teams, LSU and Florida, ended up firing their coaches, while South Carolina won only one league game, and Tennessee dropped out of the rankings. Meanwhile, Indiana, a Big Ten team, celebrated a trophy win on the final day of the season.

Source: cnn.com