The Southeastern Conference argues its superior depth makes up for the Big Ten winning the last three titles in the debate over which college football conference is strongest. The Big Ten says its reputation as a top-heavy conference is unfair. Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti considers those three College Football Playoff championships testaments to the league’s strength from top to bottom. Michigan won in 2023, Ohio State in 2024 and Indiana in 2025. Five SEC schools combined to win 13 titles from 2006-22. But no SEC team has reached any of the last three championship games.

The Big Ten appears in no hurry to change its status as the only major conference that doesn’t require its schools to schedule at least one nonconference game against another Power Four member each year. Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti said this week at the Big Ten media days event that any proposed scheduling decisions would have to wait until a final decision comes on playoff expansion. The Big Ten is pushing for a 24-team approach to replace the current 12-team format. That’s fine with many of the conference’s coaches and athletic directors.

Indiana coach Curt Cignetti says he’s “stalking complacency” as he makes sure there’s no championship hangover now that he’s orchestrated one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college football history. Cignetti took over a program that had the most losses in Football Bowl Subdivision history and led it to College Football Playoff appearances in each of his first two seasons. The defending national champion Hoosiers are now attempting to show they have staying power as a contender as they attempt to replace Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

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The Big Ten would do away with its championship game if college football adopts a 24-team playoff. Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti says that’s a worthwhile sacrifice to get his preferred postseason format. Pettiti mentioned this possibility back in May as he stepped up his push to expand the current 12-team playoff to 24. He made the point clear Tuesday by conceding a 24-team playoff would mean no Big Ten championship game. The bid to expand the playoff to 24 teams also has the support of the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big 12 and Notre Dame. The Southeastern Conference remains a holdout.

Defending national champion Indiana has three of the 12 players selected for preseason honors to lead all teams. The Big Ten has a media panel select 12 players for preseason honors rather than releasing a traditional preseason all-conference team. Indiana's representatives are wide receiver Charlie Becker, linebacker Rolijah Hardy and defensive lineman Tyrique Tucker. Other picks included Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, Oregon quarterback Dante Moore and defensive back Kai Perich, Rutgers running back Antwan Raymond and receiver KJ Duff,  Iowa offensive lineman Kade Pieper, Minnesota defensive lineman Anthony Smith and Southern California quarterback Jayden Maiava.