Faculty soccer has seen sweeping modifications the previous few years.
One in all them, Illinois coach Bret Bielema believes, is an finish to the notion of the Southeastern Convention’s supremacy.
Showing at Wrigley Subject on Tuesday for Illini Evening, Bielema responded to photographs that Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia took on the Large Ten on a podcast earlier that day.
Pavia, who transferred from New Mexico State final yr and led the Commodores to their first profitable season in 11 years and an upset of Alabama, joined former NFL gamers Will Compton and Taylor Lewan on their “Bussin’ With the Boys” podcast. Many of the dialog was about Pavia’s journey, however he took a jab on the Large Ten, together with particular faculties, when requested about potential transfers this offseason.
“You wish to play with the perfect, you don’t wish to play within the Large Ten,” Pavia instructed Large Ten alumni Compton (Nebraska) and Lewan (Michigan). “You ignore these calls. You’ve obtained to consider this too: The SEC is like nothing (else). The Large Ten, you’ve got Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan, Penn State. The SEC, you’ve obtained all canine.
“You solely have 4 (powerful) video games a yr (within the Large Ten). Within the SEC, it’s week after week you’re getting beat on. You ain’t getting beat on by the Purdues or Nebraskas.”
Vanderbilt final confronted a Large Ten program in 2019 — dropping 42-24 to Purdue.
Bielema caught wind of Pavia’s feedback and defended his convention.
“I perceive what he’s saying — he’s regurgitating what’s being stated to him,” Bielema stated. “I feel any given Saturday, anyone can beat anyone.”
Bielema, who has coached in each conferences at Wisconsin, Arkansas and Illinois, identified that the SEC has no returning quarterbacks who led their group to 10-plus wins final season, whereas two of the Large Ten’s 5 10-plus-win groups return their starter: Penn State with Drew Allar and the Illini with Luke Altmyer.
Large Ten groups went 6-4 final season towards SEC groups, together with a 5-1 mark within the postseason that included Illinois’ Citrus Bowl victory over South Carolina. The Large Ten additionally boasts the final two nationwide champions (Ohio State and Michigan) after SEC groups gained 13 of the earlier 17 nationwide titles.
“The final three years, the evolution of faculty soccer with the portal and NIL has created a leveled enjoying area by no means seen earlier than,” Bielema stated. “Lots of people wish to reside previously and attempt to keep by the principles of the previous, (however) I don’t see any a part of (that in) our future.”
Bielema additionally famous that SEC coaches have pushed again towards including a ninth convention recreation in addition to the concept of an annual “problem collection” of video games versus Large Ten groups.
“We voted unanimously as Large Ten coaches to remain at 9 (convention video games) and possibly have an SEC problem,” Bielema stated. “I used to be instructed that (the SEC) voted unanimously to remain at eight and never play the Large Ten.”
Whereas the 2 conferences may not see eye to eye on who’s No. 1, there’s no denying the SEC and Large Ten view themselves as the perfect two conferences. In current Faculty Soccer Playoff discussions, they initially proposed that every get 4 computerized qualifiers for a 16-team playoff starting in 2026, with two every for the ACC and Large 12, one for the highest-ranked champion from different conferences and three at-large berths.
After pushback from the ACC and Large 12 — who proposed 5 computerized bids for convention champs plus 11 at-large spots — the CFP reportedly will “begin over” in format talks with a Dec. 1 deadline to solidify the 2026 playoff construction.
“These two leagues can beat anyone on any given Saturday,” Bielema stated, “and that’s the half I’d prefer to see. I’d prefer it to be the perfect 16 groups. I don’t assume we will do a 16-team playoff if (the SEC is) not at 9 (convention) video games. Till you get to 9 for everyone, I don’t assume it will probably work.”
The 2025 season encompasses a Week 1 recreation between Texas and host Ohio State. The rematch of a CFP semifinal, which the Buckeyes gained 28-14 within the Cotton Bowl, is bound to refuel the convention supremacy debate.