Ohio State sent a clear message to the SEC after winning its second national championship in two years, leaving the conference reeling from its latest disappointment.
The Buckeyes’ victory over Notre Dame on Monday came at a time when the SEC was absent from the College Football Playoff title game for the second consecutive season. Despite being well-represented in the game’s officiating crew, fans booed the referee when he introduced himself as an SEC official.
Ohio State star Lathan Ransom declared, “Everyone says we can’t beat SEC teams. We beat SEC teams.” The Buckeyes’ dominance over SEC teams was a key factor in their national championship win, with six of their eight playoff wins coming against teams from the conference.
The SEC’s struggles continued throughout the playoffs, with the conference compiling a 1-3 record and a 7-7 postseason mark. Even its absent presence on Monday seemed to linger, as Ransom brought up the SEC in his postgame interview session.
Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delaney has long touted the conference as the superior league, and Ohio State’s victory only serves to further cement that claim. With six teams from the Big Ten making the College Football Playoff, it appears that the conference’s elite level of competition may be unparalleled.
“I think we beat some really good SEC teams,” said Ohio State safety Lathan Ransom, referring to their victories over Texas and Georgia. “Anyone want to come for Coach Day’s head? Y’all can’t.”
The SEC will likely take a close look at its performance this season, but for now, it appears that the Big Ten has emerged as the conference with a stranglehold on national championship success.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2025/01/22/ohio-state-college-football-national-championship-sec/77841715007