What a difference a year makes in the college football universe: The Big Ten and SEC held a pair of conquer-the-world summits during the 2024-25 school year, seeming ready to direct the future of the sport.Now they’ve spent the past 15 months remembering why they didn’t like one another in the first place.If one needs a reminder, just recall what former Alabama coach Nick Saban and Indiana coach Curt Cignetti tossed out during conference media days last month. The conversation revolved around which conference was the nation’s best.“Whoever wins a national championship doesn’t define who has the best conference,” Saban said on ESPN. “I think the best conference gets defined by how many good teams you have from top to bottom, and I think the SEC has a lot of good teams from top to bottom. Last year, we had five teams in the Playoff in the SEC, which says there’s pretty good depth in this league.”Cignetti, who worked as a Saban assistant from 2007 to 2010, clapped back.“We don’t run a hype machine up here in the Midwest,” Cignetti said. “We believe everything’s earned, not given. And when we fall short, we say we fell short. We don’t cry a river, whine and complain. And that’s why we’re the best.”The Big Ten has won the last three national titles; the SEC dominated the sport for most of the two decades before that recent run. Playoff results, bowl results and nonconference games offer more data points, but they’re not a comprehensive event where the public sees every Big Ten and SEC team square off.But what if that event existed? Welcome to our hypothetical Big Ten vs. SEC challenge, where for the third consecutive season, our Big Ten-based writer (Scott Dochterman) and SEC-based writer (Seth Emerson) matched the teams. They used a snake draft format to set matchups, this year with the Big Ten choosing its first seed, followed by the SEC selecting its first and second seed, and then going from there.Previous versions: 2024, 2025Although both of us prefer on-campus environments, we chose neutral (and often tongue-in-cheek) locations with the Big Ten picking the odd-numbered sites and the SEC choosing the even-numbered spots. Then both writers picked the hypothetical game’s winner, all in a quest to determine who really is the best.Julian Sayin and Ohio State get matched up with Georgia in our top hypothetical Big Ten-SEC matchup. (Michael Reaves / Getty Images)1. Ohio State vs. GeorgiaLocation: Cincinnati. The Buckeyes considered Indianapolis, but the Bulldogs have won there more recently than they have.Dochterman: This is the third straight season we’ve matched Ohio State with Georgia. The Buckeyes open the year No. 1, and their offense’s potency is obvious. They’ve got some defensive inexperience, but that shouldn’t be a problem. We might see this game on the season’s final Monday night. Ohio State 28, Georgia 23.Emerson: The Georgia defense should be back in vintage form this season, the best it’s been since 2021. (Though not that quite that great.) The question on offense is whether there’s a game-changing receiver. If this game were in Georgia, the pick would be the Dawgs. Since it’s not, we’ll go with the Buckeyes, but it’s a coin flip. Ohio State 20, Georgia 19.2. Texas vs. OregonLocation: Inglewood, Calif. SoFi Stadium is a venue worthy of a big game, another that easily could be a preview of this year’s national championship.Dochterman: Oregon is my pick to win it all, and it’s not just because of quarterback Dante Moore and his plethora of skill position stars. It’s because every starter returns on the nation’s top defensive line. Moore and Texas’ Arch Manning could go 1-2 in next spring’s NFL Draft, but in this matchup, I lean a little more toward the Ducks. Oregon 34, Texas 32.Emerson: In the past two seasons, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian has been great at winning rivalry games (4-0 against Oklahoma and Texas A&M) but bad at beating elite teams (0-5 against Georgia and Ohio State). Then again, Oregon’s Dan Lanning also has big-game questions. Both teams are loaded, with potentially great quarterbacks. Another toss-up. Oregon 31, Texas 30.3. Indiana vs. Ole MissLocation: St. Louis. A decent drive for both fan bases and an underrated city, with an indoor facility to keep everyone out of the humidity.Dochterman: The biggest mismatch in last year’s Big Ten-SEC challenge turned out to be the Hoosiers against Florida. I don’t think this one will enter that category. But I think Indiana’s stout defensive line would be a tough matchup for the Rebels, even with quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. Indiana 38, Ole Miss 24.Emerson: If you were picking by roster, you’d lean towards Ole Miss: Chambliss, Kewan Lacy, difference makers on defense like end Kam Franklin, linebacker Suntarine Perkins and tackle Will Echols. But then you have Curt Cignetti vs. Pete Golding without Charlie Weis Jr.’s play calling. You have to go with the proven commodity. Indiana 31, Ole Miss 27.The best national champs of the last five decadesRalph D. Russo4. Texas A&M vs. USCLocation: Denver. A big-city site fits these two teams, and the mountain west is a good meeting point.Dochterman: If we get to a 24-team CFP, we’ll see plenty of matchups like this in the first or second round. An ascending coach on one side in Texas A&M’s Mike Elko and a one fighting a tough narrative in USC’s Lincoln Riley. Two quarterbacks on the periphery of the Heisman discussion in the Aggies’ Marcel Reed and the Trojans’ Jayden Maiava. In a shootout, I like Riley just a little more. USC 38, Texas A&M 34.Emerson: Until he absolutely proves otherwise, I don’t trust Riley against a defensive-minded coach whose team is built in his image. Texas A&M 21, USC 17.5. Penn State vs. OklahomaLocation: Ames, Iowa. Matt Campbell beat the Sooners twice while at Iowa State, doubling the number of Cyclones victories against Oklahoma since 1961.Dochterman: In their two Big 12 matchups, Oklahoma coach Brent Venables got the best of Matt Campbell during down years for the Cyclones. Penn State will have a solid year, but the Sooners’ defense tips the balance. Oklahoma 21, Penn State 16.Emerson: This should be the matchup the SEC office is happiest about. Oklahoma, with its defense and John Mateer back at quarterback, against a Penn State team in coaching transition. Campbell and Rocco Becht have a chance to be very good this season, but give this matchup to the Sooners. Oklahoma 20, Penn State 12.6. Alabama vs. WashingtonLocation: Brookings, S.D. The Kalen DeBoer Bowl should be played in his home state, even if South Dakota State’s home field only seats 19,340. Whatever, maybe they can expand it a bit.Dochterman: If this was about quarterback, I’d take Washington’s Demond Williams all day. He’s a nightmare for defenses. But I think the Crimson Tide are more balanced everywhere else, and quarterback Keelon Russell is a future star. Alabama 41, Washington 29.Emerson: Alabama will start the season very young, especially on offense. But there’s experience in the secondary, which should help to contain Williams, at least enough to give the Crimson Tide the edge. Alabama 27, Washington 24.7. Iowa vs. LSULocation: Field of Dreams, Dyersville, Iowa. This game wouldn’t take place at the movie site or the MLB park, but the cornfield separating the two.Dochterman: LSU loaded up in the portal and landed coach Lane Kiffin, which would lead most to say the Tigers have too much talent for the Hawkeyes. However, Iowa averaged nearly 30 points a game last year and has an improved passing offense coupled with one of the best power running attacks. Maybe it goes the other way in 2027, but not in 2026. Iowa 20, LSU 16.Emerson: The setting does LSU no favors; it would fare better inside, where its athleticism and run-through-space attack would take over. And yet … it’s still hard to pick against that athleticism. LSU 23, Iowa 19.Can Bryce Underwood take a step forward for Michigan as a sophomore? (Michael Reaves / Getty Images)8. Tennessee vs. MichiganLocation: Cincinnati. It’s almost the exact midpoint between the two campuses: around 250 miles from Ann Arbor and Knoxville. Yes, Ohio State-Georgia is already taking place here, so they pull a doubleheader, with this game at noon and the No. 1 vs. No. 1 game in prime time.Dochterman: Their seasons come down to whether their young quarterbacks turn their promise into production. Their skill players are about a wash, but along the line of scrimmage, the Wolverines have too much experience and physicality. Michigan 23, Tennessee 20.Emerson: Tennessee brought in Jim Knowles to fix the defense, but he wouldn’t have star linebacker Arion Carter for this game — thanks, NCAA — and safety Edrees Farooq is injured. Couple that with uncertainty over who will be the quarterback, and this one goes to the Big Ten. Michigan 24, Tennessee 13.9. Minnesota vs. South CarolinaLocation: Oslo, Norway. The Norwegian men’s national team and fans performing the Viking row during the World Cup is perfect for the Gophers, whose mantra is “Row The Boat” in an area of Scandinavian ancestry.Dochterman: I love this game for the quarterbacks. Minnesota’s Drake Lindsey has first-round potential; LaNorris Sellers had a nightmarish season in which the Gamecocks’ line surrendered 43 sacks but is one of the game’s most exciting players. The Gophers bring back the Big Ten’s top sack leader in Anthony Smith and boast returnees at all the key spots. They win in a shootout. Minnesota 48, South Carolina 41.Emerson: The Gamecocks of 2023 win this game easily. The Gamecocks of 2024 lose this game easily. Now with Sellers and other key guys — receiver Nyck Harbor, edge Dylan Stewart — back from both those seasons, it’s anybody’s guess. Minnesota 30, South Carolina 28.10. Auburn vs. IllinoisLocation: Nassau, Bahamas. A good midpoint location would be Nashville, but both teams have been to the Music City Bowl recently. And while Memphis would work, too, in this scenario, sources say both schools argued that if South Carolina and Minnesota get to go to Norway in late summer, we’d like the Caribbean.Dochterman: I have a feeling that Auburn will jump into the CFP conversation at some point this year under Alex Golesh. This was my favorite hire of the coaching carousel, and with South Florida transfer quarterback Byrum Brown, the Tigers are a little too explosive for the Illini. Auburn 27, Illinois 20.Emerson: There should be no transition at Auburn. Golesh brought not only his quarterback but his center and 10 more players from South Florida, And the defense returns some key starters. Auburn 31, Illinois 21.11. Nebraska vs. FloridaLocation: Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Ariz. The memories will come rushing back for Husker fans recalling their 62-24 Fiesta Bowl win against the Gators to claim the 1995 national title.Dochterman: Is Jon Sumrall the coach to wake up the Gators? There’s plenty to like about the talent he has retained and accumulated. Matt Rhule is safe, but Nebraska is at somewhat of a crossroads. This is probably the most unpredictable clash of the bunch, but I’ll lean toward Huskers quarterback Anthony Colandrea making a play to win. Nebraska 31, Florida 30.Emerson: A lot of people are high on the Gators because of Sumrall, but the expectations may be too high in the short term. Nebraska 28, Florida 26.Austin Simmons is now at Missouri after entering last season as Ole Miss’ starting quarterback. (Norm Hall / Getty Images)12. Missouri vs. WisconsinLocation: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City. Another almost perfectly equidistant location, and yes this means three games in Iowa. Let the Hawkeye State cook.Dochterman: This would cause massive confusion among the locals. Would they root for another black-and-gold border team from a conference they detest or for one of their biggest rivals sporting a color they’ll never wear? Either way, Missouri is the better team and would win decisively. Missouri 31, Wisconsin 16.Emerson: Decisively? Maybe not, especially if Luke Fickell did finally get the resources this offseason to bolster his roster. But Missouri, while it may take a step back in the SEC, still has a solid enough roster to pull this one out. Missouri 38, Wisconsin 34.13. UCLA vs. VanderbiltLocation: El Paso, Texas. These teams can’t meet in the Sun Bowl later this year, but this feels like a potential Sun Bowl matchup.Dochterman: UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s final win with Tennessee came against Vandy in 2024. I’m bullish on the Bruins making a bowl game this year, but the Commodores have a few too many returnees on defense. By midseason, I could feel differently. Vanderbilt 31, UCLA 24.Emerson: This is a fascinating matchup because UCLA could make a huge jump with Bob Chesney, and Vanderbilt could take a huge fall without Diego Pavia … or each team could look like it did last year. Vanderbilt having more experienced winners — yes, those are words we just typed — gives it the nod. Vanderbilt 27, UCLA 23.14. Mississippi State vs. NorthwesternLocation: Paladin Stadium, Greenville, S.C. Northwestern is in the nation’s third-largest city. Mississippi State is in the 16th-most populous city in its own state. Let’s split the difference and have them play in one of the country’s best mid-sized cities.Dochterman: The Wildcats are a sneaky-tough team. They get overlooked, but when you watch their games, they always compete (see their last-second loss to Michigan at Wrigley last November). With Chip Kelly calling plays, I think the offense can open up with Aidan Chiles under center. Northwestern 20, Mississippi State 17.Emerson: Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor should be a problem for Northwestern’s defense. The Bulldogs have too many other deficiencies to win many SEC games, but they knocked off Arizona State last year, and they can do the same to one of the Big Ten’s lower-tier teams. Mississippi State 35, Northwestern 31.15. Michigan State vs. KentuckyLocation: Champaign, Ill. This is considered the J Batt Bowl, with the Wildcats snagging the Spartans’ athletic director this summer, and thus should be played in his hometown.Dochterman: The new coaches and offseason portal shopping on both sides don’t provide us with much clarity, but each program seems to be progressing nicely. I’d expect Michigan State’s special teams under LeVar Woods to do something awesome, and I think new Kentucky coach Will Stein would devise a game-winning drive. Kentucky 23, Michigan State 21.Emerson: If this were still Mark Stoops coaching Kentucky, you knew what you were getting, and in this case it would be a team able to slog out a win. But Kentucky moved on from Stoops and hired Stein because it wanted to shoot higher, even if it meant getting worse. So you have no idea what to expect here. Kentucky 27, Michigan State 24.16. Arkansas vs. MarylandLocation: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, N.Y. Noted Maryland alum Larry David calls in a favor and spends the game doing George Steinbrenner impressions. Arkansas fan John Daly has a booth that’s supposed to be for golf tips but devolves into other things. A fun time is had by all, whatever the result on the field.Dochterman: Maryland quarterback Malik Washington is due for a big year. I don’t know if he can lead the Terrapins to a bowl game, but he’s going to make some splash plays. He would do the same in this game. Maryland 34, Arkansas 33.Emerson: Arkansas has 80 new players. Maryland is very good in September. That adds up to a Big Ten win. (No comment on where I went to school, other than it was not a Big Ten school at the time, so shut up.) Maryland 30, Arkansas 21.Final (hypothetical) resultsDochterman: 10-6 Big Ten