The SEC has historically been viewed as the preeminent conference in college football, a perception that has held true for many years. Nick Saban began crafting an extraordinary dynasty at Alabama in 2009. The Crimson Tide clinched the BCS National Championship in his third year and didn’t stop there. They followed up with championships in 2011 and 2012, later adding three more titles from 2015 to 2020.
Yet, it’s hard to fathom, but 2020 was six years ago, and things have shifted. The Big Ten has now secured three consecutive national championships, a streak that began when new name, image, and likeness regulations allowed college players to earn outside income. Meanwhile, the SEC hasn’t even made it to the championship game since 2022.
During the 2025-2026 bowl season, SEC teams only managed a dismal 1-8 record against other conferences, and they went 0-3 in playoff games against Power 4 opponents. Nonetheless, at a recent spring meeting, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey and others claimed their conference remains the best in the nation.
Opinions on that vary. FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt is among the skeptics. He argues that with Saban’s looming retirement, the conference can’t rely on its past triumphs any longer. “This isn’t 2012, 2016, or even 2015,” Klatt remarked. “Saban isn’t there anymore to carry the conference’s weight.” He expressed disappointment with the outcomes of the SEC’s spring meetings, describing them as lacking substance.
“What did we get? Just propaganda. It’s remarkable,” he stated. He summarized Sankey’s comments as merely boasting, labeling them as false claims about the SEC’s superiority over all. “I’m not even sure they’re the best conference anymore,” he added.
Klatt further claimed that data shows the Big Ten has surpassed the SEC, highlighting that those who doubt this often have a bias toward the SEC or its teams. “Why not just call it straight? Sankey’s comments seem tailored for writers rooting for his narrative, not based on the truth,” he continued. “Fans who disagree with me, that’s fine—passion is what makes college football special. But the stats suggest Greg’s statement doesn’t hold water. The Big Ten is 4-0 against the SEC in recent playoffs.”
Sure, you could argue that four games is a limited sample, but playoffs usually match the best teams, making comparisons clearer. Not to mention, Big Ten teams had their own impressive bowl performances. Iowa State beat Vanderbilt, a team many, including myself, thought deserved a playoff spot. Illinois took down Tennessee, which had been in the mix for most of the season. Indiana defeated Alabama, and Texas snagged a win over Michigan. The same Texas team lost to Ohio State early in the season. At the same time, some teams, like the Indiana Hoosiers, managed to finish a remarkable 16-0.
It’s up to Sankey to focus on the metrics that serve his narrative, but it’s essential for those outside the SEC bubble to provide an honest assessment of the conference’s situation. Clearly, the influence of Sankey and others has already shaped the selection committee, as evidenced by Alabama’s inclusion for the 2025-2026 season. Klatt and others are justified in calling it out as propaganda.
