The SEC is left wondering where its power went as Ohio State wins the Big Ten’s second consecutive national championship.

In a world where college football has long been dominated by the Southeastern Conference (SEC), a seismic shift has begun to take shape. The SEC, once synonymous with college football supremacy, finds itself asking a difficult question: where has its power gone? The answer, at least in part, can be traced to the rise of Ohio State, which recently captured the Big Ten’s second consecutive national championship. As the Buckeyes’ dominance continues to expand, the SEC is left grappling with the implications of losing its stranglehold on the sport.

For years, the SEC has been the gold standard of college football, producing national champions year after year and consistently sending multiple teams to the College Football Playoff (CFP). Programs like Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and others have built dynasties on the back of elite recruiting, top-tier coaching, and a legacy of winning. However, in recent seasons, the SEC has been met with fierce competition from programs outside its borders, most notably Ohio State, which has emerged as a powerhouse in its own right.

The 2024 season was a turning point. After Ohio State defeated Georgia in a thrilling playoff semifinal and went on to claim the national championship, the Big Ten had secured its second consecutive title, following Michigan’s triumph the year before. With the Buckeyes’ latest victory, the tide has officially shifted in college football. This essay will explore the implications of Ohio State’s success, the changing landscape of college football, and what it means for the SEC’s once-uncontested dominance.

The SEC’s Legacy of Dominance

For much of the 21st century, the SEC has been the undisputed leader in college football. Programs like Alabama, led by Nick Saban, and Georgia, led by Kirby Smart, have made the conference the epicenter of championship football. The SEC has dominated the College Football Playoff era, with its teams regularly winning national championships and producing an abundance of NFL talent.

Alabama’s dominance under Saban, in particular, has been a hallmark of the SEC’s reign. Since Saban took over as head coach in 2007, the Crimson Tide has won multiple national championships, reshaping the landscape of college football with its relentless pursuit of perfection. Georgia, too, emerged as a powerhouse under Smart, culminating in its national title win in 2022. LSU and Auburn have also experienced their share of success in the SEC, and the overall depth and competition of the conference made it the most feared in the nation.

The SEC’s reputation for developing elite players and its intense competition on a weekly basis fostered a culture of excellence that many believed was unmatched. The conference became known for its physical style of play, its blue-chip recruiting, and the atmosphere of its stadiums, which created a near-impossible environment for visiting teams to thrive. From the swamp of Florida to the legendary Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, the SEC’s venues became synonymous with college football greatness.

Perhaps most importantly, the SEC’s success translated into consistent dominance in the College Football Playoff. From the inception of the CFP in 2014, SEC teams were regularly represented, with Alabama, Georgia, and LSU frequently making deep runs. Alabama’s sustained excellence became a symbol of the SEC’s power, and many fans, pundits, and analysts believed the conference’s dominance would never be challenged. It was a situation where SEC football felt like the sport’s most secure entity, and any challengers from other conferences were seen as pretenders, waiting for their moment to fade away.

Ohio State’s Rise: A New Power Emerges

While the SEC has long been the standard-bearer for college football, it’s important to acknowledge the growing strength of other programs, particularly Ohio State. The Buckeyes have consistently been a powerhouse in college football, but in recent years, under head coach Ryan Day, Ohio State has taken its game to another level. Day, who took over for Urban Meyer in 2019, quickly solidified himself as one of the brightest minds in college football, inheriting a program loaded with talent and continuing its legacy of dominance.

Ohio State’s blend of elite recruiting, top-notch coaching, and a highly productive offense made the Buckeyes one of the most dangerous teams in the country. Quarterbacks like Justin Fields and C.J. Stroud, both developed under Day’s tutelage, became Heisman Trophy contenders, showcasing Day’s ability to develop elite talent at the most important position on the field. Ohio State’s offensive prowess, coupled with a strong defensive core, allowed the Buckeyes to compete with the best teams in the nation, including SEC powerhouses like Alabama and Georgia.

The 2024 season, in which Ohio State claimed the national title, marked a major milestone for the program. The Buckeyes overcame a slew of challenges in the playoff, including a dramatic semifinal win over Georgia that showcased their resilience and ability to perform on the biggest stage. In the championship game, Ohio State delivered a dominant performance, cementing its status as the best team in college football for the season.

This victory was the culmination of years of steady improvement and a commitment to excellence. Ohio State’s ability to recruit at an elite level, develop talent, and execute on both sides of the ball proved to be the difference-maker. The Buckeyes were able to match and, at times, surpass the competition that had long been seen as untouchable in the college football landscape. With their second consecutive national title in hand, Ohio State’s place among the sport’s elite programs was solidified, and the Big Ten, a conference that had been somewhat overshadowed by the SEC for the past decade, was back in the conversation as a legitimate contender.

The Big Ten’s Resurgence: A Shift in the Balance of Power

Ohio State’s national championship victory represents more than just an individual achievement for the program—it signals a larger shift in the balance of power in college football. The Big Ten, which had been considered by many to be second-rate compared to the SEC in terms of overall dominance, is now back at the forefront of the college football world. With Ohio State’s title win in 2024, the Big Ten has now secured back-to-back national championships, following Michigan’s victory the year before. This marks a turning point for the conference and for college football as a whole.

The resurgence of the Big Ten has had a profound impact on the perception of the SEC’s dominance. For years, the SEC had operated under the belief that no conference could rival its power, but Ohio State’s title—and Michigan’s before it—have cast doubt on that narrative. The Big Ten’s ability to produce national champions back-to-back has shown that the conference is more than capable of competing with the SEC, and this shift in power has major implications for the future of college football.

The SEC’s dominance has been built on the strength of its elite programs, but the rise of Ohio State, Michigan, and other Big Ten teams signals a new era. The depth of talent and competition in the Big Ten is now on par with the SEC, and the conference has shown that it can develop elite players, coach top-tier teams, and perform on the biggest stage. The 2024 season’s national championship game served as a reminder that the SEC is no longer the sole king of college football, and that other conferences, especially the Big Ten, are ready to rise to the challenge.

What Went Wrong for the SEC?

The question remains: where did the SEC’s power go? For a conference that had been the undisputed king of college football for so long, the recent national championships by the Big Ten represent a challenge to the SEC’s long-held dominance. The answer may lie in several factors, including the changing dynamics of college football and the emergence of new powerhouses.

First, while the SEC remains home to some of the most talented teams in the country, it has been plagued by inconsistency in recent years. Alabama, once a juggernaut under Nick Saban, has faced more competition and struggles in recent seasons, especially as the team adapts to new offensive styles and adjusts to changes in recruiting. Georgia, while still strong, has faced challenges in maintaining the same level of dominance it enjoyed in the early years of Kirby Smart’s tenure. Programs like LSU, Auburn, and Texas A&M have had mixed results, preventing the SEC from fully maintaining its grip on the college football landscape.

Additionally, Ohio State’s rise is a direct result of the program’s ability to recruit at an elite level, its emphasis on developing talent, and its consistency in executing on both sides of the ball. In contrast, the SEC has faced increasing competition from other conferences, particularly the Big Ten, which has invested heavily in football infrastructure and development. As programs like Ohio State continue to grow and evolve, the SEC is no longer the only conference with the resources, talent, and coaching to consistently contend for championships.

Moreover, the evolution of the college football landscape, including the growing emphasis on the transfer portal and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals, has allowed programs outside the SEC to catch up. Teams like Ohio State have leveraged these new dynamics to their advantage, acquiring high-level talent through the portal and maintaining their competitiveness with the SEC.

Looking Ahead: The SEC’s Path to Reclaiming Its Power

The SEC is undoubtedly facing a moment of reflection. For years, it had dominated the college football conversation, and its teams were the standard against which all others were measured. However, the recent success of Ohio State and the Big Ten’s resurgence has created a more level playing field. If the SEC is to reclaim its power, it will need to adapt and evolve. This may mean rethinking recruiting strategies, embracing new developments in player acquisition, and continuing to innovate on the field.

The rise of Ohio State and the Big Ten may mark the beginning of a new era in college football—one in which the dominance of the SEC is challenged by other elite programs. As Ohio State continues to assert itself as a national power, the Big Ten’s presence on the national stage will only grow stronger. The SEC must find a way to respond and ensure that it remains the standard-bearer in college football.