Connect with us

Sports

Urban Meyer: Why Big Ten, Not SEC, Is College Football’s Best Conference

Published

on

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Is the Big Ten or the SEC the best conference in college football?

Urban Meyer has coached and won national championships in both conferences. And when it comes to which one is better, he has a pretty definitive answer.

“For close to 20 years, the SEC, we all knew it, dominated the country and the Big Ten Conference,” Meyer said on Week 1’s edition of “Big Noon Kickoff” when asked about the Big Ten vs. SEC debate. “They won 13 of 17 national championships. You know what? That all changed three years ago when the Michigan Wolverines, then the Ohio State Buckeyes, and then the Indiana Hoosiers won the national title.

Advertisement

“It’s not just at the top of the league. Yes, the Big Ten is 4-0 against the SEC in College Football Playoff games, but they’ve also won four of five in the non-College Football Playoff bowls. So, as of now, it is the best conference.”

That debate goes beyond results on the field. 

“The SEC has dominated the NFL Draft for so many years,” Meyer added. “You know what happened last year? The Big Ten had more first-round picks than the SEC. The Big Ten Conference is the strongest conference in college football. That was last year. We’ll see [what happens] this year.”

The Big Ten sent four teams to the 2024 College Football Playoff, which was the first year of the 12-team format. Then, last season (2025), it sent three teams to the playoff, with Indiana and Ohio State each earning first-round byes as the No. 1 and 2 seeds, respectively. The Big Ten also had two teams reach the semifinal round: eventual-champion Indiana and the Oregon Ducks.

Advertisement

As for the NFL Draft, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the No. 1 pick, marking the first time a Big Ten player was selected with the top overall pick since Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long was taken by the Miami Dolphins in 2008. Even more, four of the top-10 selections in the draft were players from the Big Ten: Mendoza, Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate (No. 4) and Ohio State linebackers Arvell Reese (No. 5) and Sonny Styles (No. 7).

Before 2023, a Big Ten team hadn’t won the national championship since Ohio State captured the title in 2014 with Meyer as head coach, his third season in Columbus. Over Meyer’s seven seasons at Ohio State (2012-18), the Buckeyes went a combined 83-9, winning at least 10 games in every season.

Meyer’s SEC coaching stint came at Florida, where he served as head coach from 2005-10. Across six seasons in Gainesville, Meyer went 65-15, won two SEC titles and captured two national championships, in 2006 and 2008.

Entering Week 1 of the 2026 season, the Big Ten has three teams ranked in the top 10 of the AP Top 25 and eight teams in the Top 25 altogether: Ohio State (one), Oregon (two), Indiana (six), USC (T-14), Michigan (16), Washington (17), Penn State (18) and Iowa (22).

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Sports

We are going to witness beautiful football

Published

on

Fans are ecstatic to see summer arrival Rodri starting for Barcelona in the La Liga game at Valencia on Sunday (September 6). The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner arrived at the Camp Nou from Manchester City in a deal reportedly worth £65 million.

Rodri, 30, made his Barca debut in a 2-0 home win over Athletic Club last month, coming on for the final 27 minutes. He also featured in the 5-2 home victory over Rayo Vallecano, playing 26 minutes.

Having led Spain to their second FIFA World Cup title in North America in the summer, Rodri is now set to make his first start for the Blaugrana, thrilling fans, who shared their reactions:

Advertisement

“We are going to witness Beautiful football 💙❤️🔥🔥,” one tweeted.

“FC RODRI’S FIRST START 😮‍💨🔥 New chapter begins today. Time to show us what that midfield is made of 🔵🔴⚡️,” another commented.

“Finalllyyyy Now we’ll see how greatly we control the tempo of the game with our midfield 🫡,” one posted.

“Rodri gets in!! 😝. The midfield should be commanding with his presence, hopefully he has fully regained match fitness,” another posted.

Hansi Flick’s side are atop the standings after winning their opening three games and will go three points clear at the top if they win at the Mestalla.


“He’s a fantastic player” – Barcelona boss Hansi Flick hails Rodri

FC Barcelona v Rayo Vallecano de Madrid - LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 - Source: GettyFC Barcelona v Rayo Vallecano de Madrid - LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 - Source: Getty
FC Barcelona v Rayo Vallecano de Madrid – LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 – Source: Getty

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick hailed new signing Rodri after the club announced his arrival from Manchester City last month. The Spaniard had spent the seven previous seasons at the Etihad.

Rodri, 30, is now set for a new stint with the Blaugrana as he looks to help the reigning La Liga champions continue their domestic success and win their first UEFA Champions League title in more than a decade.

“He’s a fantastic player who brings something special to every team, and for me it’s brilliant to have him here,” Flick said (as per GOAL).

“I think he might be the best number 6. He can control the game, but he also helps out in defence. He can win aerial duels, which is very important for us, and of course he raises the standard of every player.”

Following their La Liga game at Valencia on Sunday, Barcelona open their UEFA Champions League campaign at home to Feyenoord three days later.