Paul Finebaum proclaimed that the Big Ten owns college football right now, as the dust settles Ohio State national title victory.
As hard as it is for the SEC analyst to admit, the Buckeyes are winning, coupled with their victories over Tennessee And Texas during the College Football Playoffsleft him no choice. When you take into account that of Michigan dominance in the previous campaign, it’s the Big Ten that deserves mention as the best conference in college football, at least for now.
“The Greenie answer is yes. The Big Ten, right now, owns college football,” Finebaum said, regarding the Big Ten’s dominance over the past two seasons, via Get up.” You can’t say otherwise. When you go back, it’s generational. In Ohio State’s case, they beat two SEC schools along the way.
“There’s an old saying that dates back to 1828, when Andrew Jackson was elected president. A senator from New York said, “To the victor belong the spoils,” and that’s exactly where the Big Ten is this morning. It’s an uncomfortable feeling for the SEC, which owns the sport. But it’s a reality this morning.
Whether NILTHE transfer portal or as a coach, the Big Ten has seemingly surpassed the SEC over the past two seasons. That’s not to say it can’t change on a dime, as the SEC has cannibalized itself a bit in 2024, but it will need a team or two to step up and challenge programs like Ohio State and Michigan in 2025.
Maybe Kalen DeBoer will be able to put it all together during year 2 to AlabamaOr Smart Kirby and the Georgia BulldogsThe revenge tour will claim some victims from the Big Ten. Elsewhere, the upstart South Carolina Game roosters could take a step further with LaNorris Sellersand teams like Ole Mademoiselle and the aforementioned Volunteers, with Lane Kiffin And Josh Heupel take the lead, we cannot count on them.
Of course, Arch Manning is also poised to be named the Longhorns’ starting quarterback in 2025. He flashed in 2024, but extended action could elevate Texas to sustained success, as they move from Quinn Ewers.
Regardless, college football is more of a year-to-year proposition than ever, due to the borderline free agency created by the transfer portal. Paul Finebaum wouldn’t be disappointed if this leads to the SEC returning to the forefront of college football next season, but for now, the Big Ten’s reign of dominance is the norm.