Let's call it what it is: the SEC's excuses are getting old. The Big Ten has reeled off three straight College Football Playoff national championships, with Indiana, Ohio State, and Michigan each taking a turn at the top. Meanwhile, the conference that once dominated the sport is now scrambling for answers—and coming up with a whole lot of noise.
Georgia's Kirby Smart told Pat McAfee that the Big Ten's top tier is simply stronger these days. “I just think they have a more competitive conference, like the top of their conference,” Smart said. “There’s more good teams. It used to be that Ohio State was good. You know, Michigan was really good, but [Jim] Harbaugh had a great team. Indiana’s good. Like, now they got Oregon. They got a draw. They have an ability to attract good players.”
Lane Kiffin, now at LSU, echoed that sentiment on 'Pardon My Take,' arguing that the SEC's bottom is tougher. “We’re going to nine games, and our bottom is harder than theirs. And our bottom stadiums are harder (to play in) than theirs,” Kiffin said. “So we’re going to beat each other up more, and they’re going to sit up there and have 2-3 hard games a year.” He added that Big Ten teams rest starters in conference games, giving them fresher legs for the playoff.
Then on Monday, Missouri's Eli Drinkwitz joined the chorus, accusing the Big Ten of playing an easier schedule. The pattern is clear: instead of owning the result, SEC coaches are pointing fingers at the calendar and the competition.
But here's the thing—excuses don't win titles. The Big Ten has simply had the best team in the country for three straight years. Ohio State, Michigan, and Indiana have been as good—or better—than anything the SEC has thrown at them. It's not about schedule strength or depth at the bottom. It's about who shows up when it matters most.
The SEC built its reputation on physical football and big-game performances. Now that the Big Ten is returning the favor, the response has been a litany of complaints. It's an embarrassing look for a conference that prides itself on being the gold standard. Several SEC coaches are entering make-or-break seasons, and if they want to reclaim the throne, they need to stop whining and start winning.
We've seen this before in sports—when a dynasty fades, the excuses pile up. But the scoreboard doesn't lie. The Big Ten has the rings. The SEC has the excuses. It's time for the coaches to look in the mirror and figure out how to catch up, not how to complain about the race.
