Amidst the recent historic phase of conference expansion and realignment that will officially take place this summer, and often in previous years, there has been a lot of tension between the SEC and Big Ten, or at least among their most vocal football fans. , there always seemed to be some hostility.
Currently, the Big Ten and SEC are in the midst of that realignment, and their rivalry has emerged as the nation's two “super conferences,” and the Big Ten and SEC will compete for spots in the expanded playoffs and national championship competition. It is expected that the situation will further intensify. .
But are they really rivals in the traditional sense? Veteran college football broadcaster and former Penn State quarterback Todd Blackledge dismissed that idea when he spoke to Greg McElroy.
“I don't know if I consider it a rivalry,” he said on ESPN's Always College Football show. “I think we have mutual respect, Greg Sankey.” [the SEC commissioner] and Tony Petiti [the Big Ten’s] They're both really smart people and they made some really smart decisions.”
These decisions also include some bomb realignment moves. Football powers Texas and Oklahoma will officially join the SEC in July. And the Big Ten will welcome USC, Oregon, Washington and UCLA to its ranks in time for kickoff this fall.
Both leagues are trying to exert influence over an expanded College Football Playoff, including an attempt to increase automatic bids to membership, a plan that comes as other leagues voiced outrage at the idea. , apparently canceled.
But no matter what happens with the expanded playoffs after 2026, the SEC and Big Ten are each expected to get about $21 million a year in cash.
“We both realize that when we are together, good things happen,” Blackledge said. “And while it may seem like a rivalry, I think they think they're helping each other out. The fact that they're at the front of the pack and moving in lockstep. I think it’s mutually beneficial.”
The SEC and Big Ten may be happy to work together when it comes to business, but their teams, and especially their fans, would be only too happy to have an on-field rivalry for years to come.
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