‘Go fever’ engulfing college football is led by the SEC and Big Ten, according to Scott Rabalais.

In recent years, the landscape of college football has been significantly shaped by the dominant forces within the sport: the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the Big Ten Conference. The powerhouses of college football have always held significant sway, but their influence has grown in unprecedented ways in recent times. According to Scott Rabalais, sports columnist for The Advocate, a phenomenon known as “Go fever” has come to define the state of the sport, particularly as the SEC and Big Ten continue to lead the charge in shaping college football’s future.

“Go fever,” as described by Rabalais, refers to the fervor and aggressiveness with which the SEC and Big Ten are pushing for change in college football, from revenue sharing and playoff formats to conference realignment. The feverish pace of these changes, much of which is led by these two conferences, has reached a fever pitch in recent years. But what exactly is fueling this growing sense of urgency and ambition within the two most powerful conferences in college football?

The Rise of the SEC and Big Ten in the Modern Era

For decades, the SEC and Big Ten have been two of the most powerful conferences in college football. They boast the most successful programs, the best players, and a long history of competitive excellence. But in recent years, their influence has skyrocketed, driven in part by the evolving financial landscape of college athletics, the growth of television contracts, and the changing expectations of fans and universities alike.

The SEC, home to legendary programs such as Alabama, LSU, Georgia, and Florida, has been particularly dominant in recent years. Their grip on the college football landscape tightened during the 2010s, culminating in the rise of Alabama under Nick Saban, who led the Crimson Tide to multiple national championships. The SEC’s dominance has not only been on the field but also in the recruitment of talent, as it routinely produces top-tier draft prospects and high-profile stars. Meanwhile, the Big Ten, which includes powerhouse programs like Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State, has also enjoyed a resurgence in the modern era. Ohio State has become one of the most consistent and successful programs in college football, and the Big Ten’s recent expansion with teams like Maryland and Rutgers has increased its national reach and influence.

The Financial Power Play

One of the most significant factors contributing to the “Go fever” in college football is the financial clout of the SEC and Big Ten. Both conferences have negotiated some of the most lucrative television deals in college sports history, and they continue to push for a greater share of the revenue pie.

In 2020, the SEC signed a massive media rights deal with ESPN, valued at $3 billion over 10 years. This deal, which includes broadcast rights for football and basketball games, was seen as a game-changer for the conference. The SEC’s TV deal will give it the resources to continue recruiting top-tier talent, upgrading facilities, and increasing coaches’ salaries. It also gives the SEC the power to influence the direction of college football by funding initiatives that benefit their member institutions, such as a potential expansion of the College Football Playoff (CFP) or increased compensation for players.

The Big Ten, not to be outdone, signed a $2.64 billion deal with Fox, ESPN, and CBS to broadcast its games. The Big Ten has also expanded its television footprint by adding teams like Nebraska, Maryland, and Rutgers, which has expanded its reach into new markets like the East Coast. The revenue generated by these broadcast deals allows the Big Ten to reinvest in its programs, offering higher salaries to coaches, enhancing facilities, and attracting top recruits. Additionally, the Big Ten’s lucrative media rights deal ensures that it remains competitive with the SEC, making it more likely that these two conferences will continue to lead the charge for change in college football.

The Push for College Football Playoff Expansion

One of the most visible manifestations of “Go fever” in college football is the push for an expanded College Football Playoff. The SEC and Big Ten have long been vocal advocates for increasing the number of teams in the CFP, a move that would help ensure more representation for their respective conferences. Currently, the CFP includes only four teams, and the selection process often leaves teams from power conferences like the SEC and Big Ten with legitimate grievances. The SEC and Big Ten are pushing for an expanded playoff field of 12 teams, which would give more opportunities for their programs to compete for a national title while also enhancing the sport’s overall entertainment value.

This push for playoff expansion has been met with resistance from smaller conferences, which argue that an expanded playoff would leave them with even fewer chances to break into the playoff. Additionally, the financial implications of expansion have raised concerns, as the added revenue from playoff games could further cement the dominance of the SEC and Big Ten, leaving the rest of college football to fight for scraps.

The proposed 12-team playoff format would include the six highest-ranked conference champions, along with six at-large teams, with the top four seeds receiving a first-round bye. This system would give more conferences and teams the chance to participate in the postseason, but it would likely favor the power programs of the SEC and Big Ten, which are consistently among the top-ranked teams in the country. This model would also bring in even more money through television contracts, which has made it highly attractive to the SEC and Big Ten.

Conference Realignment and the SEC’s Dominance

The “Go fever” is also manifesting itself in conference realignment. In recent years, we’ve seen major shifts in college football, including the announced additions of Oklahoma and Texas to the SEC, as well as the Big Ten’s acquisition of USC and UCLA in 2024. These moves are designed to strengthen the respective conferences’ grip on college football, both from a competitive and financial perspective.

For the SEC, the addition of Texas and Oklahoma allows the conference to expand into new recruiting markets in the Lone Star State and the heart of the Midwest. Both schools are traditional football powerhouses, and their inclusion in the SEC will create a more robust and competitive environment, further solidifying the conference’s position as the most dominant in the country.

The Big Ten’s decision to add USC and UCLA is equally strategic. These schools bring a wealth of football tradition and high-profile players to the Big Ten, along with a presence in the lucrative Los Angeles market. These moves not only strengthen the Big Ten’s on-field product but also give it an even more powerful television footprint, ensuring that it remains one of the richest and most influential conferences in college sports.

The ongoing expansion and realignment of conferences are a direct result of the “Go fever” that has gripped college football. As the SEC and Big Ten continue to assert their dominance, smaller conferences are finding it increasingly difficult to compete on the same level. This widening gap between the power conferences and the rest of college football has led to increased calls for reform, but it’s clear that the SEC and Big Ten will continue to shape the future of the sport.

The Future of College Football: What’s at Stake?

As the SEC and Big Ten continue to lead the “Go fever” in college football, the implications for the sport’s future are profound. The push for an expanded playoff, the increasing concentration of power within these two conferences, and the ever-growing influence of television deals all point toward a future in which college football becomes more commercialized and less competitive for smaller programs.

The traditional ideals of college football—where every conference had a shot at the national championship and where small schools could rise to prominence through hard work and talent—are increasingly at risk. The SEC and Big Ten are positioning themselves as the primary drivers of the sport, and their financial and competitive advantages could make it difficult for any other conferences to keep up.

At the same time, the continued rise of NIL (name, image, and likeness) rights and the growing influence of television networks could lead to an even greater concentration of power within these two conferences. If the SEC and Big Ten continue to drive changes in the sport that benefit their programs, the gap between them and the rest of college football will only widen.