What is the premier conference in college football right now: the Big Ten or the SEC?
After producing the last three College Football Playoff national champions — from three different schools — there is no denying the Big Ten has sat atop the college football world recently. But there is also a growing sentiment that the SEC is stronger in the middle and at the bottom, making it the deeper league overall.
“There was a lot of pushback from the Big Ten on that this week,” FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt said on a recent episode of “The Joel Klatt Show,” discussing what he learned at the Big Ten spring meetings in Palos Verdes, California. “And really, the Big Ten is not wrong.”
Klatt pointed out that the Big Ten is 4-0 against the SEC in the College Football Playoff over the past three years. The conference is also 5-2 against the SEC in non-CFP bowl games over the past two years.
“There is an idea that the depth of the Big Ten is being undersold nationally, and a way to fight that would be a scheduling agreement with the SEC,” Klatt said. “They want to fight the narrative on the field.”
Here’s a look at 10 future SEC-Big Ten college football matchups Klatt would love to see if the conferences ever agreed to a scheduling agreement:
LSU and USC in Big Ten-SEC matchups Joel Klatt wants to see 👀
South Carolina vs. Illinois
Klatt: Bielema-Beamer 2! Remember that Citrus Bowl at the end of the 2024 season, when there was some bad blood there, particularly with how the game ended? I want this again. There’s no doubt. This might not be the best possible matchup, but certainly the storylines would run deep.
Georgia vs. Oregon
Klatt: Kirby [Smart] to face Dan Lanning in Autzen Stadium? Sure! I’m in on that. Lanning’s first sport as the top coach of the Oregon Geese was towards Georgia, and that one was in Atlanta in 2022. Georgia beat them up, 49-3. I’d like to see Kirby go up and face his former assistant and defensive coordinator.
Ohio State vs. Tennessee
Klatt: We heard so much within the playoff a few years in the past about Neyland North. Hear, Tennessee followers, to your credit score, you guys confirmed up big in that playoff sport. There’s little doubt. There was extra orange within the stands than I noticed of some other shade in my historical past calling faculty soccer video games in Columbus at The Shoe. I wish to see Ohio State go and return the favor.
LSU vs. USC
Klatt: Lane [Kiffin] again in LA? Yup, you wager! Lane has clearly been again to LA, however not in an official capability since he was left on the tarmac as the top coach of the USC Trojans. Deliver him again. I need that daily of the week. Yearly. That will be phenomenal. Please give us this scheduling settlement as a result of it might be nice for followers and nice for school soccer.
Nebraska vs. Oklahoma
Klatt: How about bringing again an previous rival? Nebraska-Oklahoma was once nearly as good as any rivalry in faculty soccer, possibly second to solely Michigan-Ohio State. All through the entire Massive 8 days, and even within the Massive 12, this was a marquee Thanksgiving weekend matchup. Deliver again this one.
USC vs. Texas
Klatt: I’m simply hitting all of the classics, and USC-Texas is totally a traditional that I wish to see. Clearly, that Rose Bowl with [Matt] Leinart, [Reggie] Bush and Vince Younger was possibly the best sport we’ve seen within the historical past of faculty soccer. You get these colours on the sphere on the similar time. It will simply drip with nostalgia. We’d be desirous about that and Keith Jackson on the decision.
Indiana at Alabama
Klatt: Curt Cignetti going again to Alabama, the place he acquired his begin, in a giant method, underneath [Nick] Saban as a recruiting coordinator. Plus, this might be a rematch of final yr’s Rose Bowl. That will be an important one.
UCLA vs. Tennessee
Klatt: This one’s time delicate. So, it wouldn’t occur, except we might do it this yr. However, how about Nico Iamaleava going again to Tennessee? How about Nico and [UCLA head coach] Bob Chesney going to face Josh Huepel and Tennessee again in Knoxville? I’m certain these followers would simply welcome Nico again with open arms.
Ohio State vs. Florida
Klatt: I’d like to see the City [Meyer] Bowl. City received a championship with each of these faculties. I feel that one could be phenomenal.
Alabama vs. Washington
Kalen DeBoer had loads of success at Washington, getting them proper on the precipice of a championship, after which leaving for the larger and greener pastures of the SEC and Alabama.
