Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State Could Be Better Off 'Leaving' Big Ten

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The Big Ten and the SEC have clearly separated themselves from the rest of the country when it comes to college football superiority – both in terms of on-the-field production and off-the-field revenue.

"I think it’s pretty clear that the Big Ten and the SEC have separated themselves," USC coach Lincoln Riley said in an interview with On3's JD Pickell,. "I think everybody in college football understands that. That’s just the reality of where the situation is, in terms of the schedules. I know everybody wants to sit there and debate those two conferences, but the reality is, both conferences are fantastic. Both conferences, you play elite-level teams very, very often."

Riley believes it's never been more clear.

"The strengths of schedules are very different, and I think that’s honestly made rankings and Playoff rankings that much more difficult," he continued. "The discrepancy in schedules right now has never been higher in football than where it is now. You’re asking humans to do a very difficult job, given how we currently rank teams. I think guys know now that if you come to USC and play in the Big Ten, you’re gonna play one of the best schedules in the country. You’re gonna play marquee teams on the road and certainly here in LA at The Coliseum. Your strength of schedule is not going to be questioned."

But do the Big Ten's top schools – Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State – really need the conference, or is it the other way around?

ESPN's Dan Wetzel believes that if Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State left the Big Ten to do their own thing – football-wise, at least – they could earn a lot more money.

Why it could make sense for the three schools

Wetzel explained that Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State are getting less than $100 million per year from the Big Ten in TV revenue.

However, he believes the Ohio State vs. Michigan game alone is worth $200 million.

"Why are we floating these other schools?" Ohio State and others could ask.

This part of @CollegeGameDay podcast with @ReceDavis has produced some “reaction” – would Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State ever bail on the Big Ten to do their own thing? pic.twitter.com/1ii8l8K1vE

— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) February 17, 2026

The Big Ten's top three schools, along with maybe Oregon or USC, could go out and do their own thing, scheduling like an independent, while earning a lot more money from TV deals with ESPN or FOX or CBS.

Should it happen?

This story was originally published by The Spun on Feb 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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