The rivalry between the Big Ten and SEC has become one of the most contentious storylines in college football. After a long run of SEC domination, the Big Ten is now at the top of college football with three consecutive national titles from three different programs.
The USA Today Preseason Coaches Poll was released on Tuesday, which is the first real preseason poll before the season begins. The SEC led the way with nine teams in the Top-25, while the Big Ten wasn't far behind with eight.
In response to that poll, SEC Network host Peter Burns chimed in with his latest hot take on the Big Ten-SEC discourse. However, he was factually incorrect.
Burns tried to point out that the nine SEC teams featured in the Top-25 poll are all slated to play at least five other Top-25 teams this season. He tried to emphasize that point by stating that not a single Big Ten team would play five Top-25 teams this season. Unfortunately for Burns, the point he was trying to make fell flat on its face pretty quickly.
9 SEC schools play at least 5 of the Top 25 teams in the coaches poll
— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) August 4, 2026
Not a single Big 10 team plays 5.
Efficient work https://t.co/HCvPDn2pGh
As you can see from the community note attached to Bruns' post, a total of seven Big Ten teams in the Top-25 poll will face other Top-25 teams this season. Furthermore, two teams from the Big Ten––Michigan and Ohio State, will face six other Top-25 teams.
Curt Cignetti, Indiana have chip on their shoulder following coaches poll disrespect
So not only was Burns' point incorrect, but it was way off the mark. With the Big Ten vs SEC drama only continuing to build, this snafu has only added more fuel to the fire.
Indiana will face four ranked teams in the USA Today preseason poll this season: No. 1 Ohio State, No. 14 USC, No. 16 Michigan, and No. 19 Washington. The matchups against Ohio State and USC come at home, while the Hoosiers will hit the road to face Michigan and Washington.
The Big Ten is winning the rivalry with the SEC on the field
Burns' targeting of the Big Ten is just the latest shot thrown at the conference. But while reporters and analysts throw around shade trying to knock down the Big Ten, the numbers speak for themselves.
Not only has the Big Ten claimed the last three national titles, but they've gone through the top teams in the SEC to do so. Big Ten programs have shined in head-to-head matchups against SEC teams on the big stage. Over the last three years, Big Ten and SEC teams have met four times in the College Football Playoff. The Big Ten has won all four of those matchups.
Furthermore, the Big Ten is a strong 13-5 as a league in the CFP over that span, and went 3-1 in head-to-head matchups against the SEC in last year's postseason. As a league, the SEC went just 5-0 in postseason play. Most notably, Hoosier football fans won't soon forget the 2026 Rose Bowl that saw Indiana destroy Alabama to the tune of 38-3. That never gets old.
The Big Ten is well-positioned to continue its dominance this season, as teams like Indiana, Oregon, and Ohio State are already among the preseason favorites to win the National Championship.
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