Why The SEC Isn’t Dominating College Football Anymore | HARD PASS Ep. #82

Why The SEC Isn’t Dominating College Football Anymore | HARD PASS Ep. #82

The SEC has dominated college football for nearly two decades… but now, for the third straight year, the conference won’t even PLAY for a national championship 👀

Doug Kezirian breaks down whether the SEC’s legendary run has finally been exposed by the 12-team College Football Playoff, or whether NIL, the transfer portal, conference realignment, and money have quietly reshaped the entire sport underneath it.

From Paul Finebaum admitting the SEC’s dominance is fading, to the Big Ten winning on the field, to how elite talent is no longer being stockpiled at the same powerhouse programs, Doug explains why the old SEC blueprint no longer works in the modern college football economy.

Are we witnessing the downfall of the SEC… or has college football simply evolved?

Drop your take in the comments and don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Hard Pass 💯

“Prior to this new era, SEC powerhouses would carry five- and four-star recruits on their second and third strings… instead those players are now starting at other schools because that’s how they get paid right away.” — Doug Kezirian

#football #collegefootball #cfp #cfb #collegefootballplayoffs #sec #bigten #nicksaban #nil #transferportal

HARD PASS Ep. #82

On Today’s Episode:

00:00 – Intro

00:22 – Huddle Up

🏈 Doug breaks down whether the SEC’s failure to reach the national championship game for a third straight year means its dominance has finally been exposed — or whether deeper changes in college football are driving this power shift.

02:13 – College Football Has Evolved & It’s Hurting The SEC

🏈 Doug explains how the expanded playoff now forces the SEC to win multiple games instead of relying on reputation and positioning, and how the conference can no longer stockpile five-star talent because players are leaving for money and playing time — spreading elite talent across more schools.

05:00 – The Coaching & Agent Network That Propped Up The SEC

🏈 Doug explains how Jimmy Sexton and the SEC coaching network created an “old boys club” that once dominated the sport, and why that structure is now breaking down.

06:25 – The Big Ten Money & Power Shift

🏈 Doug shows how schools like Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana are now outspending — and outperforming — the SEC.

07:13 – SEC Propaganda & The Branding Machine

🏈 Doug breaks down how the SEC protected itself through influence and narrative, and why that machine is no longer working.

10:02 – Was It The SEC… Or Just Nick Saban?

🏈 Doug explains how Saban’s six national titles distorted reality and why the league now looks very different without him.

#SportsDebate #SportsPodcast #FootballTalk #SportsCommunity #Collegefootball #CFB #CFP

Welcome to HARD PASS with veteran sports analyst Doug Kezirian, your stadium seat to everything football, and your courtside ticket to everything basketball! From buzzer-beaters to behind-the-scenes drama, scorching hot takes, and sharp analysis you won’t hear anywhere else. Brought to you by the Doug Kezirian Sports Network (DKSN).

🗓 New episodes drop every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

💥 Help DKSN grow by liking, commenting, and subscribing: https://www.youtube.com/@DougKezirianSportsNetwork

🔔 Hit the bell so you never miss a take.

📣 We want to hear from you!

Hot take? Bold opinion? Drop it in the comments or tag us online.

Your question/comment could be featured in our Fans in the Stands segment!

📬 For inquiries or interviews: [e-mail]

Follow Doug & DKSN:

🐦 Twitter/X: @DougKezirian

📸 Instagram: @DougKezirian

🎵 TikTok: @DougKezirian