CFB analysts debate whether or not Kirby Smart’s SEC succession idea is best for Georgia and the rest of college football
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, among other coaches in the SEC, has been at the forefront of the league succeeding from the NCAA, and possibly even forming a super league with the Big 10. But is that a smart idea? We debate.
Georgia Bulldogs head football coach Kirby Smart has never been afraid to speak his mind. At last week’s 2026 SEC Media Days in Tampa, Florida, Smart said, “Yeah, I’ve actually been there for a long time,” when asked about comments earlier in the week from SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, who said that conversations about succeeding from the NCAA are not just a leverage play in SEC circles; they’re real and being carefully considered. A lot of rumors and hearsay have also been floated about the formation of a potential superleague, where the SEC and Big Ten would come together.
This comes after Smart’s comments at the spring meetings in Destin, where he said, “I’ve said this for a long time now…I’ve been a huge advocate that if we can’t find rules that everybody plays by, then we should play our own. I’m not afraid of that.” But it’s not about being afraid; it’s about whether or not it’s feasible, or better yet, good for college football. I, Rob Gregson, was at the SEC Media Days last week, and you couldn’t turn a corner without the topic being discussed. So, I decided to debate the hot-button issue with fellow A to Z Sports college football analyst Tyler Forness. Let’s dive in.
The case against the SEC and Big Ten succeeding from the NCAA
“The entire idea of the SEC and Big Ten splitting off is both preposterous and egotistical. Not only are they not always better than other conferences, but it would also strip away the heart of what college football is.”
“Plus, we are just two years into the College Football Playoff. Over time, the talent pool will truly level off, and it will become way more competitive, meaning better games and conferences. Just look at Indiana and Georgia’s trajectory the last two years. The Bulldogs have gone from looking nearly unstoppable to losing multiple games per season. On the other hand, the Hoosiers went from being the program with the most losses ever to making 2 College Football Playoffs, going 27-2, and winning a National Championship. It’s way too short-sighted to create a super league; just be better on a finally equal playing field.” – Forness
The case for the SEC and BIG Ten SEC succeeding from the NCAA
From a pure competitive standpoint, the SEC and the Big-10 have turned into the best two conferences in the sport. Beyond the abundance of NFL draft picks that come from the two conferences, 8 of the last 10 national champions have hailed from either the Big Ten or SEC.
The Miami Hurricanes may be the exception to that rule in 2026 as they were almost in 2025, but for the most part, that’s where the powerhouses lie and where the winning is done. Beyond that, the NCAA does not run the College Football Playoff. Notice how every March it says “NCAA March Madness tournament.” It never says NCAA College Football Playoff, yet the sport and the SEC is often at the mercy of legislation and decisions from a governing body that sort of governs. Creating a clear set of guidelines and regulations can streamline and optimize some of the wild west that is NIL, the transfer portal, the calendar, and more.
The third-party point of view
When speaking to people on the ground, some seasoned media members felt that the words and quotes from Smart or Sankey were all posturing. Political gamesmanship to try and force the issue as opposed to actually wanting to succeed. Others feel that it’s only a matter of time before the SEC breaks away, with or without the BIG Ten.
Something is going to give; it’s just a matter of when.