Nick Saban, left, and Lee Corso talk on the set of ESPN College GameDay prior to the NCAA football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.
Photo Credit: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Nick Saban’s claim about the Big Ten gaining an edge through NIL might be an excuse, because the Big Ten won the last two national championships, shifting the power dynamics in college football. This success suggests the playing field is now level, not tilted toward the SEC anymore. After all, SEC teams like Alabama and others still have access to large amounts of money.
Under the Table Spending
For years, the SEC dominated college football. The reasons were clear: warm weather, fertile recruiting grounds and suspected under-the-table payments. A reputation was built an aura of superiority. But times have changed. Saban’s argument overlooks how parity has grown with new rules like the transfer portal and NIL.
These changes allow talent to spread across conferences, not just SEC powerhouses. Recent reports indicate multiple conferences now use NIL legally, reducing any secret advantage. The 2024 season showed Michigan and Ohio State thriving, proving Big Ten strength beyond money. Coaches across conferences now recruit with transparent financial incentives.
This shift could explain why top players choose Ohio State over traditional SEC schools because modern-day college football is much different, compared to previous era’s. For instance, during Saban’s tenure at Alabama he built a dynasty, possibly masking SEC reliance on unofficial deals. Critics argue his complaint ignores how open payments level the competition he once mastered.
Historically, the SEC’s past success might have relied on untracked cash, not just regional loyalty. Today’s rules force all teams to play by the same financial book. Meanwhile, the Big Ten’s recent titles further challenge the idea of a permanent SEC dynasty. Ultimately, Saban’s excuse might deflect from adapting to a fairer, more competitive landscape. His perspective might reflect nostalgia for an era the Big Ten has overtaken.
The Reality
The truth is NIL hasn’t tilted the sport toward one league. It has balanced it with the transfer portal. For the first time in decades, no conference owns the crown by default. In addition, new data will emerge with the new season and this information will test whether the SEC’s edge on the playing field has leveled off. Fans and analysts await the 2025 College Football Playoff results to settle this debate. Until then, however, the scoreboard says one thing: the Big Ten is on top and excuses won’t change that.
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Saban sounds like a grouch who can’t handle the fact that his former program is average now.