Casagrande: How should the SEC respond to Big Ten swiping throne?

This is an opinion column.

There was a time when the rivalry between the SEC and the Big Ten felt entirely mythical, largely because it wasn't a competition at all. While the SEC moved with speed and surgical efficiency, our neighbors in the Midwest were left in the dust. The SEC’s marketing machine, built on the “It just means more” mantra and those iconic chants, wasn't just a slogan—it was a declaration of total ownership.

That dominance is now facing a reality check. At the Big Ten’s recent spring meetings in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, the vibe was distinctly different. The lobby of the venue was crowded with hardware, from Indiana’s College Football Playoff trophy to NCAA basketball titles for the Michigan men and UCLA women. They are flexing, and they have every right to do so.

The Tide Has Turned

The Big Ten is riding a wave of success, having claimed three straight college football titles across three different schools, while simultaneously ending long-standing championship droughts in basketball. Their momentum doesn't stop there—UCLA currently holds the top spot in the baseball coaches poll, and Nebraska sits atop the softball rankings.

The question for the SEC is no longer how to stay ahead, but how to respond to this shift. While the SEC remains superior to the ACC and Big 12, the Big Ten has stolen the momentum at the top of the food chain. This is especially evident in the legislative arena, where the Big Ten’s push for a 24-team College Football Playoff bracket is gaining traction over the 16-team model previously favored by the SEC.

A High-Stakes Showdown

The legislative tug-of-war is becoming impossible to ignore. Even within the SEC, voices like Tennessee AD Danny White and coach Josh Heupel have publicly supported doubling the field. As the SEC spring meetings begin in Destin, the league faces a crucial test: does it hold the line on its preferred model or bow to the new reality?

Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti has made his stance clear, telling reporters that the Big Ten has had “zero conversation” regarding a 16-team bracket. It is a calculated messaging battle, and the Big Ten is no longer playing the quiet underdog.

While SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has previously sounded skeptical about immediate expansion, he must navigate the varying interests of his membership. We have been consistent in our stance: the 12-team model works, and as we have noted previously—and vehemently—the SEC should not be forced into a format that doesn't serve its best interests.

The pride factor is immense, and neither conference is interested in looking weak. If the impasse persists, the sport remains at 12 teams, a format that has clearly been lucrative for the Big Ten’s recent champions. The flags have been planted; now, the SEC must prove it can punch back, both in the meeting rooms and on the field where it matters most.