Crain & Cone Is SEC Football Still ELITE?
Jan 13, 2026
The discussion centers on the SEC's recent championship drought and whether it's losing its grip on college football dominance. Analysis includes the importance of conference quality beyond titles, how the mid-tier teams have weakened, and the impact of NIL and talent redistribution. The hosts also explore the strengths of the Big Ten, fan loyalties, and coaching improvements that may alter the landscape. There's a call for the SEC to adapt its expectations and strategies in a changing college football ecosystem.
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SEC's Championship Drought Signals Structural Shift
- The SEC's three-year absence from the national title game signals a shift, not just bad luck.
- Changes like Saban's retirement, the transfer portal, and NIL redistributed talent nationwide.
Players Choose Programs Over Conference Brand
- Conferences matter less to recruits than individual programs and pathways to the NFL.
- NIL and the transfer portal changed incentives so recruits chase money and immediate opportunity over conference brand.
SEC's Middle Tier Has Eroded
- The SEC's historical claim to superiority relied on depth from top to bottom across the conference.
- That middle-tier strength has eroded, weakening the SEC's gauntlet reputation.