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Comparing Ohio State, Big Ten to Alabama, SEC: Which is the Better Conference?

By Blake Biscardi

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 14: Joe Burrow #9 of the LSU Tigers throws the ball during the first half of a game against the Northwestern State Demons at Tiger Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 14: Joe Burrow #9 of the LSU Tigers throws the ball during the first half of a game against the Northwestern State Demons at Tiger Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – AUGUST 31: Quarterback Justin Fields #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes completes a pass to K.J. Hill #14 of the Ohio State Buckeyes for a first down in the third quarter against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Ohio Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Florida Atlantic 45-21. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – AUGUST 31: Quarterback Justin Fields #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes completes a pass to K.J. Hill #14 of the Ohio State Buckeyes for a first down in the third quarter against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Ohio Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Florida Atlantic 45-21. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

We are three weeks into the season and the debate of the best conference is alive and well. Let’s compare Ohio State and the Big Ten to Alabama and the SEC.

Last week I wanted to speculate about Ohio State-Alabama and the Big Ten vs. the SEC. I decided to hold off until another weekend of college football was in the books.

I didn’t want to publish anything premature, and as it turns out Saturday’s slate of games has shifted my opinion a tad.

The Big Ten and the SEC have been unequivocally the top two conferences in college football over the last few seasons. This year is no different, but could 2019 finally be the year in which the Big Ten claims the top spot?

Following the first two weeks of football, some may answer yes with dominating performances even from Maryland and both divisions supposedly going four, or even five teams deep. Additionally, the SEC suffered some grueling losses as Tennessee opened the year 0-2 as well as the SEC lost six out of conference games, but also notched the best win as LSU defeated Texas.

When evaluating the Big Ten, one team in particular still stands out above the rest — Ohio State. The Buckeyes have looked extremely impressive and utterly dominant in all areas of the game, especially defensively as they are giving up less than 10 points per game.

Wisconsin has outscored their opponents 110-0 and host Michigan this Saturday which just needed double overtime to defeat an Army team that only threw four forward passes. The Penn State Nittany Lions have also played well which puts their hat back in the mix in the East.

While teams like Michigan State, Nebraska and Iowa have all had strong showings from a unit or on one side of the ball, each are still missing components to their games. If the Spartans even had a decent offense they would be a contender worth giving attention to.

Unfortunately, that is not the case as Michigan State was only able to muster a mere 7 points and missed three field goals in the loss to Arizona State.

My evaluation of the Big Ten remains as it has been for years. Ohio State is undoubtedly the team to beat but the conference appears to be deeper which is a sign it’s strengthening.

We will see the true colors of Michigan and Wisconsin on Saturday and if Penn State and Nebraska will continue to Improve as the year progresses.

Now for that conference down south.

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