B1G vs. SEC: Top-Heavy or Balanced? Which IS Better?

Charles Fischer, Mr. FishDuck Editorials

Recently the entertaining SEC propagandist, Paul Finebaum, asserted that the SEC is still the best conference, “top-to-bottom.” I’ve heard of over-the-top exaggeration before in college football, but he says it with a straight face despite how the B1G has won the last two national championships, and how the SEC was not even in the Championship games of 2023 and 2024. It made me ponder about what the “best” is, thus I took a break from my fun at pin-up casino online to consider the current reality and directions of the two conferences.

When we look at the listing of SEC teams below, we can recognize how so many of those schools have had some great football seasons in the past with their own storied history. Others rise on occasion to have an impact on the standings, (as in this year) and I see how you can make a case for stronger teams in the bottom group of SEC teams. Yet 30Duck in the Our Beloved Ducks forum said it best with, “So what does that win the SEC? The honors of the Pooper-Scooper Bowl?”

It is a really good point, because you can thump your chest about having strong teams in the bottom third of a conference, but isn’t being in the CFB Playoff and winning the ‘Natty what everyone really covets? Is that strength on the bottom actually an anchor that prevented the SEC from having a championship team? Teams like Vanderbilt are supposed to be easy wins, the cannon fodder for the powers of the conference. Yet the ‘Dores messed up the Playoff hopes of their conference with their win over Alabama, who also suffered a 24-3 loss versus a so-so Oklahoma team.

Kentucky hurt the Ole Miss season with a surprising win, and a resurgent Florida finished off any hopes the Rebels had for the CFB Playoffs. There are more examples, but it demonstrates the double-edge sword of having a bottom conference half that can have a great day, and change the fortunes of the SEC heavyweights. Which would you rather have…strength at the bottom of your conference, or more teams in your conference making the Playoffs and advancing? (We know the answer, but Finebaum won’t admit it)

There are some teams you would like to remain at the bottom… (Photo by Eric Becker)

This is going to be tough for SEC fans, because that strength in the lower half of the conference is turning out to be a curse, not a blessing. It made me reappraise what I wanted for the B1G conference, and now I am much less likely to diminish the lower half. We need those wins, and as we saw in recruiting results, the top third of the conference typically clean up with the best talent to keep the cellar-dwellers in their place.

By contrast to the SEC, the B1G is top-heavy with a third of the conference in a commanding position with the emergence of Indiana and Illinois this year. Add the usual of Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and Our Beloved Ducks, and you have a strong number of highly talented teams in the B1G. I was frankly surprised at the weakness of many teams in our conference, but I was delighted for Oregon’s season, and how three B1G teams finished in the top five in the nation. Top-Heavy, indeed!

It was interesting how many SEC players left the conference via the portal as we saw them show up in Notre Dame’s lineup, some stars landed at Ohio State, and at Oregon we had three in Tysheem Johnson, Jordan Burch and Evan Stewart. That is a talent-drain that impacted starting lineups and crucial depth that may have lowered the top teams, instead of the bottom half elevating themselves? Hmmmm.

In the end, both are Super-Conferences now, and both will have teams in the thick of the Playoffs every year. Whether you brag about the strength of the bottom half, or crow about four teams in the top-ten–it is evident that the B1G has caught up to the SEC, and for the last two years has outperformed them in the area that counts the most.

Oregon Ducks Football - FishDuck.com in Eugene, OR - Noah Whittington rushing for the Oregon Ducks vs the Maryland 'Terps

Whittington could not be stopped by cannon fodder? (Photo by Eric Becker)

This whole discussion has me thinking about whether this trend will continue, and whether we will see another B1G Champion next year as other elements such as scheduling comes into play. Our own schedule-meister at the OBD forum, Jon Joseph, is looking at the 2025 schedules and will offer his input next week as to how that component will affect the fortunes of the two conferences.

Which do you prefer? Strength throughout the conference, or top-heavy teams winning the ‘Natty? Think these trends will continue? Join me in the discussion at the only free, civilized, Oregon Football message board because…

“Oh, how we love to ponder about Our Beloved Ducks!”

Charles Fischer   (Mr. FishDuck)
Eugene, Oregon
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