Missouri's Eli Drinkwitz Blames Big Ten Scheduling as SEC Goes 2-7 in CFP vs Power 4
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 20
Missouri's Eli Drinkwitz Blames Big Ten Scheduling as SEC Goes 2-7 in CFP vs Power 4
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 20
Summary
Eli Drinkwitz said at SEC media days that the Big Ten's lighter non-conference scheduling—and the SEC's move to a nine-game league slate—help explain why the SEC has fallen behind.
That complaint comes after the SEC failed to reach the national title game for 3 straight seasons, while Big Ten teams reached and won each of those finals.
Missouri's own 2025 schedule undercuts the argument: the Tigers opened with 6 straight home games, played 4 road games, and traveled just 1,805 miles all season.
Playoff results also weaken the scheduling case, with the SEC going 2-7 against other Power 4 teams over the past 3 CFPs, versus the Big Ten's 13-5 mark.
The broader shift is roster parity from NIL and the transfer portal, which has reduced the SEC's old depth advantage and lifted rivals across college football.