College Football Playoff Down to Four: Big Ten and SEC Maintain Dominance
The transition to a 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP) this season initially promised an expanded playing field and new dynamics. Yet, as the competition narrows down to its final four teams—the traditional number used over the past decade—the scene looks strikingly familiar. The remaining contenders consist of two teams from the Big Ten, one from the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and Notre Dame, a frequent semifinalist with a 13-1 record. Once again, college football’s most powerful conferences, the Big Ten and SEC, claim the lion’s share of the semifinals, despite neither conference having its regular-season champion still competing.
This year, Ohio State (12-2) and Penn State (13-2) represent the Big Ten, marking the second time in three seasons the conference boasts two semifinalists. Meanwhile, the SEC continues its streak of placing a team in every CFP final four since the playoff’s inception. Despite the absence of previous CFP champions Alabama and Georgia, the SEC remains represented by Texas (13-2), a newcomer to the league. The Longhorns’ back-to-back semifinal appearances further solidify the SEC’s reputation for resilience and quality.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian highlighted the rigor of SEC competition, saying, “I believe this is the premier football conference in America because of the week-in, week-out tasks it requires physically and mentally. To be back in the final four wearing the SEC patch, we’ll do our best to represent it because this is a heck of a conference.”
After transitioning from the Big 12 to the SEC, Texas clinched its second consecutive semifinal berth. While the team fell to Georgia in both the regular season and the SEC Championship Game, its tenacity and talent have kept them in the hunt for a national title.
Big Ten’s Path to Glory
For Penn State, this semifinal marks uncharted territory. After already navigating and winning two postseason games, the Nittany Lions prepare for their 16th matchup of the season—a first in program history—against Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl. Their journey has been characterized by resilience, with wins against teams like Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl and SMU earlier in the playoffs.
Ohio State, on the other hand, is no stranger to CFP glory. The Buckeyes last secured a national title in 2015, during the inaugural four-team CFP format. This year marks their fifth semifinal appearance, trailing only Alabama (eight) and Clemson (six) in overall appearances. The Buckeyes secured their semifinal berth by defeating top-seeded Oregon in the Rose Bowl, setting up a high-stakes showdown against Texas in the Cotton Bowl.
Conference Supremacy
The expanded CFP format offered a more inclusive opportunity with automatic spots for five conference champions, yet the Big Ten and SEC remain dominant. These two conferences secured seven of the 12 playoff berths, further cementing their influence over the sport. Historically, the SEC has occupied 30% of all playoff slots, while the Big Ten follows closely with 22.5%. Despite the increased competition, the balance of power remains unchanged.
Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock commented on this dynamic, saying, “The SEC has been winning these for a while, but now we’ve got two strong programs from the north in the mix. Michigan broke through last year, and Washington had its chance, too. It’s encouraging to see more geographic diversity, though we’re hoping to make the most of our own opportunity.”
Potential Historical Milestones
If Penn State and Ohio State advance to the championship game, it would mark the first all-Big Ten national title matchup in the CFP era. Such a scenario would also be a rematch of their regular-season contest on November 2, which Penn State lost narrowly, 20-13. While the SEC has seen intra-conference title games in the past—most notably Alabama vs. Georgia in 2017 and 2021—no other conference has yet achieved this feat.
Another notable milestone looms: Texas and Penn State could play a staggering 17 games this season, equaling the length of an NFL regular season. Both teams face challenging paths to the final. Texas must overcome Ohio State, while Penn State battles Notre Dame. For fans and analysts alike, the stakes are higher than ever.
As college football’s traditional powers once again assert their dominance, the final chapters of the 2025 CFP promise thrilling narratives and the potential for historic outcomes. Will this year’s expanded format finally crown a fresh champion, or will it further confirm the unyielding supremacy of the Big Ten and SEC? All eyes turn to Atlanta on January 20 to witness how this chapter of college football history unfolds.
