Big Ten Surpasses SEC as Top College Football Conference After USC Move

The 2025 college football season is shaping up to be highly dynamic with significant roster changes driven by the transfer portal and NIL opportunities, as reflected in EA Sports College Football 26. Auburn's transfer class, including key additions like Eric Singleton Jr. and quarterback Jackson Arnold, highlights how teams are leveraging these changes for success. The SEC remains a dominant force, with Texas and Georgia leading as favorites and teams like Alabama and LSU poised to contend for playoff spots, while others such as Florida and Oklahoma aim for at-large berths. Meanwhile, the Big Ten, bolstered by the addition of former Pac-12 programs like USC, is proving itself a highly competitive and well-rounded conference, challenging the SEC's traditional supremacy. USC's approach under coach Lincoln Riley contrasts with SEC teams' frequent reliance on conference difficulty as an excuse, emphasizing Big Ten's growing national relevance and depth. Media coverage from SEC Media Days continues to focus on storylines and team prospects as the new season nears.