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The Cold War Between the SEC and Big Ten

by: RT Young07/25/25
NCAA Football: Louisiana State at Florida
Nov 16, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; SEC commissioner Greg Sankey looks on during the game between the Florida Gators and LSU Tigers during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

What’s that saying? A subtweet is worth 10,000 words?

Greg Sankey smushed the post button on X with a tweet that had all the subtlety of a flaming bag of poo on the Big Ten’s doorstep.

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In response to Penn State coach James Franklin calling the SEC “that other conference” at Big Ten Media Days in Las Vegas, Sankey fired off a jab that poked fun at Franklin and the other mega-conference in college athletics.

But frankly, I agree with a lot of what Franklin was advocating for on the podium in Nevada. As the conferences fight over playoff formats, much of it feels moot without some kind of larger uniformity around scheduling, number of conference games, etc.

Here’s the thing: Sankey’s goofy response revealed the obvious, the Big Ten and SEC aren’t allies. They’re adversaries. It’s a reminder that megapowers don’t usually team up, this isn’t wrestling** as much as we make it out to be. Superpowers don’t go to war with one another either, they fight in the cold forever. With behind the back jabs, barbs and espionage.

That’s why I don’t think a breakaway led by those two conferences—plus whatever popular kids they pluck from the Big 12 and ACC, is happening anytime soon. The conferences don’t want to merge; they want to beat each other. They can’t even agree on a playoff model, and there’s no finish line in sight.

The Big Ten is top-heavy. It thrives on giant brands and passionate regional viewership. Iowa fans love to stay indoors in the winter and watch a whole lot of punts with great hangtime. Naturally, they want a playoff with automatic bids for their elite, cycling the same five teams through four spots: Ohio State, Michigan, Oregon, Penn State, and USC.

The SEC? It’s full of programs that believe they’re the toughest guy in the room. It’s the only conference where Texas walks in and isn’t for sure the school with the biggest ego. The 5+11 model is gaining traction because SEC teams believe they can fight their way in, especially if the playoff becomes a street fight.

Sankey and Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti swear there’s no rift between them, despite their differing visions for the playoff’s future. But that’s where I call BS, or at least point out that the power of a conference commissioner only goes so far.

Ultimately, it’ll be the schools and university presidents who decide whether to break football away from the NCAA. They’ll have to grow so frustrated with the current model of college football or playoff format or revenue sharing, whatever else, that a major move becomes inevitable. Whether it’s 36, 48, or 64 teams finally making that leap, it won’t come from a subtweet. It also won’t come from a commissioner who ultimately wants to keep their job as head of the SEC or the Big Ten.

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And right now, there are no signs or serious chatter that any presidents or ADs are moving the ball down the field toward a breakaway—not while the playoff debate is still raging online.

So, if all we’re doing is posturing on Twitter? Then we’re a long way from getting anything done.

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**Dear Hulk, I hope you and Macho Man are snapping into a Slim Jim together now that you’re reunited in the good place.

This was originally posted on Dance With Who Brung Ya.

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