Analyzing the Big Ten and SEC Rivalry in Preseason Football Rankings

The competition between the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference (SEC) grows as the preseason Associated Press (AP) Top 25 rankings are announced. This year, Ohio State and Oregon claim the top two spots, pushing defending champion Indiana with its sixth rank lower, showcasing the Big Ten’s strength. This conference celebrates winning the last three national titles.

The SEC, however, asserts its depth by having five teams in the top 10 and seven in the top 13. It also has nine ranked teams compared to the Big Ten’s eight. Since 2024, seven different SEC teams have appeared in the College Football Playoff (CFP) versus four from the Big Ten. Despite these numbers, the Big Ten dominated first-place votes in the preseason poll with 62 out of 69, while no SEC team received any for the first time since 2015.

“Our fans, and I think the SEC fans, really like the rivalry. It would be great if we played each other more.” — Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti

Greg Sankey, the SEC Commissioner, expressed that the rivalry offers excitement and competition for fans. The season’s first major matchups occur on September 12, with No. 10 Oklahoma visiting No. 16 Michigan and top-ranked Ohio State facing No. 5 Texas. Last season, these games resulted in wins for the home teams.

In the previous year’s meetings, the Big Ten achieved a 4-3 record against the SEC. However, in 2025’s final SP+ rankings from ESPN’s Bill Connelly, seven Big Ten programs ranked below No. 67 Kentucky, the lowest SEC team. Despite a three-year absence from the national championship game, the SEC is focused on improving.

“This league stands alone. We are the strongest league.” — SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey

This season, Clemson starts unranked by the AP for the first time since 2011. The team narrowly missed the top 25, trailing by five points behind No. 25 Missouri. With Chad Morris back as offensive coordinator and Tom Allen as the defensive coordinator, Clemson aims for a comeback beginning with their opening game against No. 11 LSU.

Four teams with new coaches enter the Top 25. Pete Golding leads No. 9 Mississippi after succeeding Lane Kiffin. Golding retains key staff and players and looks forward to another strong season. LSU’s Lane Kiffin faces immense pressure to revitalize the team, whose fortunes have dwindled since 2019. Meanwhile, Penn State, ranked No. 18, relies on new coach Matt Campbell and a team built with transfers from Iowa State. Utah’s Morgan Scalley takes over as head coach, hoping to maintain momentum.

The Group of Six teams, including those like Boise State, failed to enter the preseason Top 25 this year. Since 2022, only a few non-power conference teams have started the season ranked.

Extra Notes:

• Ohio State has never ended a season at No. 1 despite eight years starting at the top.
• The Buckeyes have appeared in 38 consecutive preseason rankings, the longest current streak.
• Notre Dame, ranked No. 4, ties with Southern California for fifth-most preseason top-five appearances.
• Seven teams from the previous AP poll miss this preseason’s top 25, including Vanderbilt and Virginia.