Shatel: The Big Ten and SEC are looking for more power ... when they are already in charge

First downs and second guesses: The Big Ten and SEC are meeting in Nashville this week.

They wont be there to record a song.

Well, maybe a cover of We Are The World.

The two power leagues are there to rattle their sabers, flex muscles and plot their next move in world domination.

Theyll discuss a scheduling arrangement between the two leagues.

Consider: Nebraska would play a nonconference game against an SEC team every year along with two lower opponents.

Also on the agenda: the SEC and Big Ten reportedly want to have four guaranteed spots in the 12-team playoff beginning in 2026.

You other guys, split up the other four.

Dont like it? Well, theres this idea that was floated last week called the College Student Football League.

That would create a super conference of 72 schools that would consist of several eight-team divisions and divide all TV revenue equally.

Much like the NFL.

Guess how that went over in the SEC offices.

Speaking on a Triple Option podcast, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey was asked about a super conference run by a commissioner of college football: Ive studied it a little bit and I come back to I dont want to dumb down the Southeastern Conference to be part of some super league notion, Sankey said.

They want to be us and thats on them to figure it out.

Not on me to bring myself back to earth.

Arrogant? Perhaps.

Surprise? Nope.

The SEC and Big Ten are not going to share the money that they earned through creating value via winning and expansion.

They have a $40-50 million advantage over the Big 12 and ACC.

Why get rid of it? Theres another thing: the SEC and Big Ten care very much about their tradition, history, the brand name and identities.

Why would they agree to lose all that to be part of a giant, faceless conglomerate? They wouldn't.

I get that.

But will the SEC and Big Ten go too far in asking for special treatment in the college football playoff? Do they even need it? We havent been through one season of the 12-team playoff system.

It cant be broken yet.

In fact, the regular-season has been enhanced.

Just look at last weeks big upsets.

With bigger games ahead this week.

A panel of ESPN college football writers released their 12 real time playoff picks on Monday.

It reflected the chaos of the moment.

Some had the SEC with four, but others had only three teams in.

Some had the Big Ten with three.

Some had the ACC with two, and one had the Big 12 with two.

Most had Notre Dame in.

Theres plenty of meaningful football left.

November will be incredible.

I still think Big 12 parity will leave the Big 12 with only one playoff team.

Funny thing, when teams lose in the SEC, it shows the leagues strength.

That perception is why I think the SEC will get four and the Big Ten three.

Those two have the most teams ranked.

If one falters, another moves up.

Remember, with five automatic spots going to five conferences, there are seven at-large.

But lets say the SEC and Big Ten get greedy and feel like playing bully.

Dont the other leagues have to agree to give them four each? What if they say no? Would the SEC and Big Ten form their own super conference of two leagues? We seem to be moving in that direction.

But if those two create their own playoff, what kind of championship would they call it? It wouldnt be a national championship.

The SEC and Big Ten can get what they want by doing the schedule partnership.

If SEC and Big Ten teams are playing each other in nonconference games, that means the ACC and Big 12 arent.

That means the SEC and Big Ten have a strength of schedule advantage come playoff selection time.

The SEC and Big Ten want to make sure they are in charge.

This just in: they already are.

Last week I ran into some Husker fans who were excited about the idea of one super conference and going back to being in a Big Eight-sized division based on geography.

You mean like the Big Ten West? Regionalism is good.

Or would Husker fans rather be part of a Big Ten-SEC alliance that ensures the most money and playoff bids? Id love to hear your thoughts.

Nebraska has 47 penalties in six games.

NUs opponents also have a combined 47 penalties in those six games.

What does that tell us? Theres too many penalties being called.

Im of the firm belief that the quality of officiating is down because theres too much replay.

Refs are constantly being second-guessed by the cameras for calling too much or not enough.

I dont get worked up about preseason college basketball polls.

But I think the Big Ten poll is a crazy exercise.

First, theres 18 schools.

How do you rank 18 teams that havent had two weeks of practice yet? And most of those teams remade their roster with transfers? Nebraska was ranked 12th in that poll.

Sure.

I guess.

Whatever.

I have a much better preseason basketball idea: attend the first Coaches vs.

Cancer Breakfast on Oct.

15 at Tiburon Golf Club.

UNOs Chris Crutchfield, Creightons Greg McDermott and Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg will talk about their teams and the season ahead.

Id like to see this become an annual thing.

For tickets, go to cvcnebreakfast.acsgala.org .

Nebraskas turnover margin is vastly improved, defense and quarterback play are very good, physicality is better, and the Huskers are learning to finish games.

Run game and special teams need work.

My dad was the coach and teacher in the family.

But Ill give the Huskers a B-plus grade for the first half.

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