Former Buckeyes' HC Pinpoints the Reason Why the Big Ten has Elevated It's Game

Urban Meyer is in a unique position to speak on the difference between the SEC and the Big Ten. He was the leader of two of the greatest dynasties that each conference has seen.

In his six years at Florida, he compiled a 65-15 overall record, which was followed up by a seven-year stint at Ohio State that was a staggering 83-9. Combined with the two programs, he was 148-24 and knows the ins and outs of each conference.

He was asked on Wednesday why the Big Ten has overtaken the SEC as the best conference in college football. His answer was fascinating. 

He said, "I don't think the Big Ten was very serious back in 2012." I don't think he meant 2012 literally; I think that could easily be interchanged with "the early 2010s," which coincidentally, coincides with a seven-year run of SEC National Champions.

Once 2012 hit, it stopped being complete domination by the conference, but it wasn't the end of it. In the 10 years from 2012 to 2022, there were five more SEC National Champions before that gave way to a three-year stretch of Big Ten Champions. One of which is obviously Ohio State's 2024 title.

Meyer continued his comments saying, "I don't think the opponents' stadiums were very serious, I don't think the recruiting was very serious, I thought the Big Ten Conference was okay until they would go and get their (butt) kicked in the bowl games. I saw it."

The conversation around the current state of the two conferences is a bit overblown. I do believe that now that the Big Ten has leveled the playing field, these runs will become cyclical in nature. The pendulum will swing back and forth, and each conference will get to experience a run.

However, seeing a Big Ten team at the top of the mountain is not going to be as shocking as it was maybe 15 years ago. The credit for that goes to the teams in the conference. Everyone from top to bottom upped their game on several different levels and, in doing so, lifted the tide for all of the teams.

Right now, the Big Ten is in the sweet spot compared to the SEC. Here's to hoping that it stays that way and the Ohio State Buckeyes are at the center of the consistent domination that we are getting used to experiencing.

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