National Analyst Rips Urban Meyer as He Dares to Claim Big Ten Is Stronger Than SEC

For two decades, the SEC has ruled college football, churning out national champions like clockwork. But former coaching legend Urban Meyer thinks the tide might be turning. Having led powerhouse programs in both conferences—Florida in the SEC and Ohio State in the Big Ten—Meyer brings a unique perspective. Now, stepping into the analyst spotlight, his bold take is grabbing attention.

Meyer believes that the B1G is rising, challenging the SEC’s long-standing throne. On the Another Dooley Noted Podcast, he dropped a bold claim: “Well, you know what the SEC’s done? It’s raised the level. But the Big Ten has passed the SEC at the upper part. If you would have told me that 10 years ago, I would’ve said it’s not even close. Because it’s not.” Now, his words hit hard, sparking debates on which conference truly rules college football today.

On the May 18th episode of The Ruffino & Joe Show—Weekly CFB, the debate got heated. When Blake Ruffino threw the question to co-host Joe DeLeone—who’s the top conference now?—Joe didn’t bite. “I’m not going to give you the bulletin board material. I’m not going to sit here and just straight up say what you want me to say. I’m not going to do it. But I disagree with Urban Meyer. That is what you’ll get from me. I disagree with Urban Meyer,” Joe fired back.

However, Ruffino wasn’t done yet. He pressed further, asking, “What do you disagree with him on?” That’s when Joe DeLeone doubled down, saying, “The Big 10 has not surpassed the SEC. It is still—I don’t think anything has changed. That’s the biggest part. With this, nobody is separating from anybody. The same premier brands are the same premier brands that rule college football.” No hesitation. Just straight talk. For Joe, the SEC’s grip on college football royalty hasn’t slipped one bit.

Look, the B1G is turning up the heat. With Michigan and OSU grabbing the last 2 national titles, the power dynamic in CFB is shifting fast. In the debut year of the expanded CFP, the B1G outpaced the SEC—sending 4 teams to the bracket compared to the SEC’s 3. That’s a serious plot twist after the SEC dominated from 2017 to 2022, winning five of six titles. Now, Urban Meyer, who led OSU to a championship during his 2012–2018 run, believes he helped set that change in motion. For Meyer, it’s simple: the B1G raised the standard—starting at the top.

But Joe DeLeone wasn’t buying the B1G hype just yet. In his view, Michigan and OSU are carrying the weight, with PSU tagging along—not a title contender, but still hanging tough. Then he gave Oregon and USC some credit for flashes of success, but reminded fans they were brought in from outside just to boost the B1G’s national championship resume. So, for Joe, it’s clear: the B1G’s depth doesn’t match the SEC’s legacy, and the power shift may not be as real as it seems.

Now, Joe DeLeone didn’t hold back when it came to setting the record straight. He reminded Blake Ruffino—and everyone listening—that the SEC has dominated CFB for the past two decades. From the BCS to the 4-team playoff and now the expanded format, the SEC has consistently delivered national champions. “So what is Urban talking about?” Joe questioned. With Meyer having coached in both leagues, Joe couldn’t understand how 2 recent Big 10 titles suddenly tipped the scale. “It doesn’t make any sense to me,” he added. Honestly, for Joe, the SEC’s track record still speaks the loudest. But…..

Is the Big Ten really overtaking the SEC?

Urban Meyer knows a thing or two about building college football dynasties. He’s led powerhouses in both the SEC and Big Ten, hoisting national titles with the Florida Gators before adding another with the Ohio State Buckeyes. Now? A decade after coaching the Buckeyes to a national title, Meyer watched Ohio State roll through the College Football Playoff, crushing Tennessee and then Texas on their way to another championship. It marked back-to-back titles for the Big Ten, while the SEC missed the title game entirely for two straight years. It’s a shift that Meyer thinks signals a changing of the guard.

In January, Meyer doubled down, declaring, “The Buckeyes right now have the best roster—I don’t think it’s close—in college football.” He even threw praise at Michigan’s recent dominance and called Penn State “a hell of a team,” and pointed to Illinois’ upset over South Carolina as proof that the B1G is on the rise. ESPN seems to agree, ranking Penn State No. 1 in its post-spring top 25 and pegging Illinois as a sleeper for its first CFP berth in 2025.

While the Big Ten might be flexing right now, the SEC isn’t exactly fading into the background. The 2025 recruiting class leaderboard is painted in SEC colors, with Texas, Georgia, and Alabama claiming the top three spots. LSU is still stacking blue-chip talent, holding the No. 1 spot for the 2026 class, according to On3. Even with Ohio State’s $20 million roster, the SEC’s recruiting muscle remains unmatched.

Sure, the Big Ten has deep pockets, Nike-fueled Oregon, and big-time backers like Oracle’s CEO in Michigan’s corner. But the SEC’s pipeline is still elite, and their roster depth remains a serious weapon. So, as Meyer stirs the pot, the question lingers: has the Big Ten really taken the crown, or is this just a momentary surge in a decades-long power struggle? Only Saturdays can settle the score.