SEC's place as college football's No. 1 to make way for USC's new home, the Big Ten

While the SEC is busy once again pontificating on how difficult their overrated conference is, it is USC who has actually handled their new conference home with grace. Forget the fact that the Trojans actually came out ahead against LSU and Texas A&M last year, but they are newcomers in the BIG.

It did not go nearly as well as anyone would have liked. Rather than complaining and making excuses, instead, coach Lincoln Riley has done what he can during the offseason to correct many of the wrongs that have limited USC in recent memory.

By contrast, anytime an SEC team doesn't get 100% of things to go their way, they fall back on the same tiresome argument of how much more difficult things are for them by virtue of their conference.

The reality is that this is not the case any longer. At least, if it is true that the SEC is where the best college football is played in the nation, then that distance is too close to continue bragging about being in the SEC. The Big Ten has done well, particularly through the addition of the four previous Pac-12 programs, to make an excellent case for being the best overall and most nationally relevant conference.

What the loud, unapologetic SEC proponents are not taking into consideration is how much more well-rounded the Big Ten is. Also, playing in the elements, even a sub-.500 football team in the Big Ten is going to give a tougher fight than the likes of a Vanderbilt or Mississippi State.

Slim margins for USC in Big Ten

There are only ever two, maybe three, true contenders in any conference any given year. The rest are jockeying for position to be next in line, but that comes after a significant and noticeable drop-off among the actual title players for the season. Looking at the Big Ten right now, Penn State and Ohio State are going to be at the top of most people's lists. There are also a lot of teams, including USC, that have the potential of being able to have a good year and go on to make it to the College Football Playoffs.

Even if that goal specifically turns out to be too far out of reach, the Trojans and the other teams not immediately included here will give any team fits. This has certainly proven out to be true during Big Ten vs. SEC matchups.