For nearly two decades, the SEC sat on the throne, hoarding trophies like they were clearance rack steals. But here we are—two weeks into the 2025 season—and the SEC vs. Big Ten debate has started again. Michigan snapped the streak in 2023, Ohio State backed it up in 2024, and now the Big Ten isn’t just catching up—they’re banging on the door.

From 06 to 2022, SEC powerhouses casually racked up 13 of 17 national championship titles. Alabama under Nick Saban was stacking rings into assembly-line products, and Georgia won back-to-back in 2021 and 2022, LSU, Florida, and even Auburn were tossing their own into the pile. Oh, and the NFL pipeline? It’s basically Tuscaloosa and Athens with express delivery. In 2025 alone, the SEC dropped 78 players into the league—more than any other conference.

But while the South was flexing, the Big Ten was stacking its chips behind the curtain. Michigan finally broke through in 2023, ending the SEC streak with a title win and killing the Bulldogs’ dream of getting the hat trick of nattys. Then, Ohio State went diabolical in the 2024 season—steamrolled SEC powerhouses like Tennessee in the round of 16 and handled Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl. Fast forward to September 2025, the real question is this: after 2 weeks of football, who’s running the yard, the South or the Midwest?

AP Poll week 3

On paper, the SEC still looks stacked. Week 3 AP Poll? 11 SEC teams ranked. That’s basically half the poll wearing SEC logos. LSU climbed up to No. 3 after torching Clemson, Georgia sits at No. 6, Texas bounced back at No. 7, and Brent Venables’ Oklahoma—fresh off bullying Michigan—is up at 13. Toss in Tennessee (15), South Carolina (11), Texas A&M (16), Ole Miss (17), Alabama (19), Auburn (24), and Missouri (25), and the league’s top-to-bottom depth looks insane.

The Big Ten, meanwhile, doesn’t have the same army in the Top 25. They’ve only got 6—Mighty Ohio State at No. 1, Penn State at No. 2, Oregon sitting at 4, Illinois sneaking into the Top 10 at 9, then Curt Cignetti’s Indiana and Michigan hanging around at 22 and 23. So here’s the paradox—SEC has the numbers here.

Let’s dig into the depth data from week 2.

Overall non-conference records after two weeks

Let’s start with non-conference records. Week 1 looked like the Big Ten was flexing early. They went 16-2 outside the league, cooking up an 89% win rate. The SEC was right there, but a step behind at 14-2, which put them at 88%. Margins tiny as a shoelace, but it gave Big Ten fans a reason to chest bump.

Then Week 2 rolled in and the SEC did what the SEC does—close the gap. They finished at 28-4 overall, an 87.5% clip, while the Big Ten landed 31-5 at roughly 86%. Basically, both leagues are stomping anyone not built for prime time. The difference? The SEC stacked its schedule with a few heavier hitters, while the Big Ten mostly went volume.

Performance Against Power 4 + Notre Dame Teams

Here’s the real test—the fights against other big dogs. Through Week 1, the SEC already had four wins against Power 4 + Notre Dame squads, finishing 4-2 for a .667 clip. The Big Ten? Solid at 2-1. The ACC and Big 12 were hanging around but lagging, clocking in at 3-4 (42.9%) and 2-3 (40%). Respectable, sure, but the sample size was light.

By Week 2, the SEC turned it up a notch, flexing to a 9-3 mark—a nasty 75% hit rate against the big dogs. The Big Ten held their ground at 5-3 (62.5%), steady but still a step behind. Teams like Michigan, UCLA, and Iowa took an L in week 2. However it was a crazy 2 weeks of college football.

Take Ohio State’s opening W over the Texas Longhorns. Ohio State knocked off preseason No. 1 Texas, 14–7. Julian Sayin looked alright, tossing a touchdown while the Buckeyes’ defense put ice on Arch Manning’s hot train. That game had record-breaking TV numbers, and Midwest folks said, “The Big Ten’s arrived.” And then Week 2 happened. The SEC came for the score. Oklahoma smacked Michigan around 24–13, with Big John Mateer looking like a cheat code—270 yards passing, 74 rushing, and 3 total touchdowns. Bryce Underwood could neither throw nor run the football at Norman.

History still leans SEC, too. According to mcubed.net, the SEC owns a 111–73–2 record against the Big Ten all-time, a 60% clip. Bowl games? Even nastier—69–37. Alabama alone is 14–5 versus the Big Ten, and Georgia stands 12–3. Michigan’s the one northern program keeping it respectable, holding a 16–13 edge versus SEC squads. So if you zoom out, the SEC still has bragging rights.

Dominance over Group of 5 and FCS Teams

The SEC started Week 1 at a perfect 10-0 against the Group of 5 and FCS. The Big Ten was low-key right behind them at 14-1. By Week 2, the SEC’s only blemish left them at 19-1. The Big Ten? 26-1. The truth? Both leagues eat cupcakes for breakfast. Here’s the deal, though—nobody’s crowning champs for dunking on Akron or Kent State. Right? These are the games you’re supposed to win by 40.

Still, it’s about consistency. Slip-ups here end playoff dreams before they start. The SEC and Big Ten know that, and neither is handing out freebies. Alabama throwing up 73 points against poor LA Monroe, Tennessee dropping 72, Oregon lighting up Mike Gundy’s Oklahoma State 69-3 (yes, it’s a power 4 program), and Ohio State blanking Grambling State 70-0—it’s all part of the intimidation game.

The SEC’s calling card is strength against the top tier. That 9-3 record versus Power 4 + Notre Dame squads is gold. The Big Ten, meanwhile, prides itself on consistency and volume. More teams, more games, fewer stumbles against weaker foes.

So what’s the verdict two weeks in? Honestly, the SEC still holds the belt. That 75% record against other Power 4 opponents is the trump card. The Big Ten is stacking wins, cash, and hype, but in proving it against equals, the South still has the edge based on week 2 data. But the Midwest has the crown—the last two national champs—and that isn’t something you just dismiss.

However, this is based on 2 weeks of college football. If you’re betting today, SEC depth still rules the rankings because of its 10 quality teams. But the Big Ten’s top is terrifying, and if Ohio State or Penn State keeps its foot on the gas, we are so far away from December; college football is downright unpredictable. USF beating former #25 Boise State and former #13-ranked Gators only proves that anything can happen. And that’s the beauty of college football.