Illinois coach Bret Bielema criticized the Southeastern Conference and its commissioner, Greg Sankey, during Big Ten media days. Bielema accused the SEC of trying to “protect” itself and said they want to “live in 2005 forever,” according to sources.
At SEC media days, prominent figures like Lane Kiffin, Steve Sarkisian, and Sankey argued that the SEC deserves all 16 spots in the College Football Playoff, even considering an honorary 17th team to emphasize their perceived strength. Bielema responded by pointing out that the SEC’s dominance is not reflected in their recent performance against other Power Five teams, noting the conference’s 2-7 record against other Power Four schools in the NIL era.
Bielema also addressed changes in college football, citing the transfer portal and NIL as factors that have leveled the playing field. He highlighted specific players who joined Illinois because of NIL opportunities, emphasizing how the landscape has shifted from five years ago.
Last week, Bielema also took a shot at Saban after Saban dismissed championships as the ultimate measure of a conference’s strength. Bielema shared a picture of Illinois’ wins over South Carolina and Tennessee, commenting, “I agree with you coach and appreciate you bringing this up.”
He pointed out that SEC teams often receive undue credit for “depth,” despite recent evidence suggesting their overall strength has waned. For example, Missouri and Tennessee teams lacked winning records against other Power Five schools but were still ranked during the season. Meanwhile, the Big Ten holds a 9-3 record over the SEC in the playoff during the NIL era, underscoring shifting power dynamics in college football.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
