The SEC helped engineer the 12-team playoff. The powerhouse conference ruled the BCS. It dominated the four-team playoff. And, it planned to rule this format. Four bids? Five bids? More?

A mirage, the SEC's vision became.

The SEC regressed this season. The conference ain't what it used to be. As the College Football Playoff semifinals arrive, Texas stands as the SEC's lone representative. The Longhorns joined the conference a mere six months ago. They're an underdog against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.

For the second straight season, the SEC could produce no team in the national championship game. What gives?

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams examine the SEC's downfall and how extreme it is. They unpack the reasons for why it occurred – from Nick Saban's retirement to NIL to transfer movement – and they highlight a few teams that stand to fill the conference's power vacuum.

Finally, CFP semifinals picks against the spread!

The SEC helped engineer the 12-team playoff. The powerhouse conference ruled the BCS. It dominated the four-team playoff. And, it planned to rule this format. Four bids? Five bids? More?
A mirage, the SEC's vision became.
The <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2025/01/02/notre-dame-georgia-score-sugar-bowl-college-football-playoff/77319281007/" aria-label="Link SEC regressed">SEC regressed</a> this season. The conference ain't what it used to be. As the College Football Playoff semifinals arrive, Texas stands as the SEC's lone representative. The Longhorns joined the conference a mere six months ago. They're an underdog against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.
For the second straight season, the SEC could produce no team in the national championship game. What gives?
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://x.com/btoppmeyer" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a> and <a href="https://x.com/johnadamskns" aria-label="Link John Adams">John Adams</a> examine the SEC's downfall and how extreme it is. They unpack the reasons for why it occurred &ndash; from Nick Saban's retirement to NIL to transfer movement &ndash; and they highlight a few teams that stand to fill the conference's power vacuum.
Finally, CFP semifinals picks against the spread!

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered

SEC football became a fraud. Here's how it happened.

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