Urban Meyer: Big Ten Fans Have 'Bypassed' The SEC
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While there may be plenty of nuance that went into it, the fact of the matter is that the Big Ten Conference has the last three college football national champions in its ranks. As the 2026 season approaches, former Ohio State and Florida head coach Urban Meyer believes that the Big Ten has finally surpassed the almighty Southeastern Conference.
Appearing on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Meyer said that the Big Ten has come a long way in terms of building up its football programs. He said that when he first joined Ohio State in 2012, stadiums were not even close to being as full as they are now. But now he believes that the fan passion, venues and attendance have all caught up to the SEC and even bypassed it.
"But I'm gonna add this, Colin, also the Big Ten stadiums are very SEC like," Meyer said. "They were not. When I was hired in 2012, it wasn't even close, man. The teams weren't close. The venues weren't close. The passion of the fans wasn't close, it's caught up. And like you said, last year it bypassed the SEC."
"The teams weren't close. The venues weren't close. The passion of the fans wasn't close. It's caught up. Last year it bypassed the SEC."@colincowherd & @CoachUrbanMeyer talk Curt Cignetti & the Big Ten surpassing the SEC pic.twitter.com/ApdgLD1N9n
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) August 3, 2026
Big Ten vs. SEC
SEC fans obviously disagreed with Meyer, declaring that they still have the best stadiums and atmospheres in the sport.
"I’ll give it to the B1G being the best conf on the field, BUT the environments & fan engagement is still superior in the SEC. It was early Oct & the B1GCS was set. It was rivalry weekend before the SECCG was set. Because the SEC is deeper, more fanbases stay fully engaged longer," one user wrote on X.
"Big 10 it’s only 1-2 teams that are good every year the rest are average at best. The SEC every week all teams are battling it out for contention," wrote another.
"Sorry, Colin. Usual hyperbole when interviewing someone. SEC fandom nowhere near surpassed. However, I’ll grant talent is more dispersed," a third wrote.
"Let me know when you’ve won at a min 10+ consecutive Natties. SEC!"
The debate over which conference is truly "superior" will probably never be settled in a way everyone will accept. But it does make for cute conversation.
This story was originally published by The Spun on Aug 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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