Paul Finebaum explains how Big Ten may ‘rule the college football world’

Paul Finebaum explains how Big Ten may ‘rule the college football world’

Big Ten football fans know Paul Finebaum doesn’t often go to bat for the conference.

Recently, he was one of the numerous national media members questioning why Indiana made the College Football Playoff after its 27-17 first-round loss to Notre Dame. Finebaum, and others, pointed to SEC powers Alabama, South Carolina and Ole Miss as teams that would have been a better matchup against the Fighting Irish.

Related: Updated conference bowl records for 2024-25 college football postseason

Bowl results did not help that argument. Alabama, South Carolina and Texas A&M‘s lost to Michigan, Illinois and USC, respectively, putting a major dent into any argument of SEC dominance. Then SEC champion Georgia lost to Notre Dame (23-10) by more points than Indiana did (27-17).

The Big Ten and SEC have played five head-to-head games during bowl season. The Big Ten is 4-1 in those contests; Iowa‘s 27-24 Music City Bowl loss to Missouri is the only blemish. The conference also boasts two playoff  semifinal participants (Ohio State, Penn State) to the SEC’s one (Texas).

Finebaum addressed the Big Ten and SEC’s respective bowl season performances on “SportsCenter” this weekend. His thought on a potential all-Big Ten national title game (if Ohio State defeats Texas and Penn State defeats Notre Dame):

“This would really completely change the paradigm of college football that has been all about the SEC, particularly when (Nick) Saban was at Alabama and then Kirby Smart going for a three-peat last year. Imagine if it’s two Big Ten teams and the Big Ten is ruling the world. I’m not sure what we’re going to do down here in SEC country but hang our head.”

Conference realignment has elevated the Big Ten and SEC significantly past their power-conference counterparts. A Penn State-Ohio State national title game would give the Big Ten a significant edge in the bragging rights between the two. As Finebaum noted, the Big Ten would rule the college football world in that scenario.

Importantly, that may begin to change how the sport is discussed: SEC teams aren’t automatically thought to be better than teams from the Big Ten with a similar record. This reality will help a team such as Wisconsin as it works to break through. A 9-3 record might be enough for a playoff berth moving forward, especially if the losses are to the Big Ten’s top contenders.

Badgers fans, Nebraska Cornhuskers fans and fans across the Big Ten should pull for their conference counterparts in the playoff semifinal. The better those two programs do, the more likely it becomes that the Big Ten starts to receive the benefit of the doubt that the SEC has relied upon for decades.

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