The Big Ten is flexing its muscles after claiming back-to-back college football national championships, with Ohio State defeating Notre Dame on Monday in Atlanta. Even ESPN’s Paul Finebaum, a long-time advocate for the SEC, reversed his stance by declaring that the Big Ten now «owns» college football with its recent dominance. That sudden shift got the attention of Nebraska coach Matt Rhule, who was criticized by Finebaum back in July for saying the Big Ten is the «NFL of college football» and should get four teams in the College Football Playoff every year.
Ironically, the Big Ten did get four teams in the expanded field this season with Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State all representing. The Hoosiers were the only team not to make the quarterfinals, while the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions both played in the semifinals, showcasing the strength of the conference at the top. Furthermore, the Big Ten went 5-1 this postseason in head-to-head games against the SEC.
Rhule had some fun with the change in tune from the SEC backer on social media Tuesday night, first congratulating Ohio State and coach Ryan Day on the national championship, before mocking Finebaum.
«Yes, the Big Ten, at the moment, owns college football,» Finebaum said on «Get Up,» Tuesday. «There’s no way you can’t say it doesn’t. When you go back-to-back, that’s generational. In Ohio State’s case, they beat two SEC schools along the way. And there’s an old saying that was emanated in 1828 when Andrew Jackson was elected President of the United States, a senator from New York said ‘to the victor, belongs the spoils,’ and that’s exactly where the Big Ten is, this morning. It’s an uncomfortable feeling for the SEC, which has owned the sport, but it’s a reality, this morning.»
Finebaum did not hold back in blasting Rhule for his bold take back in late July during Big Ten Media Days.
«Matt, stay in your lane,» Finebaum said at the time. «Job one: Win enough games to get to some stupid bowl game. Don’t worry about the big boys, because you’re not one of them. We saw what you did in the NFL. You were a complete disaster in Carolina. You somehow got this job in Nebraska, and you’re talking like you belong at the table with Ohio State and Georgia. You don’t. Just try to win, maybe, six games. Quit choking big games on the final play, and leave the punditry to the professionals. Thank you.»
Nebraska snapped a seven-year bowl drought this season, finishing with a 7-6 record after beating Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl.