For years, the SEC treated CFB like its own backyard barbecue, flipping burgers, handing out championships, and daring anyone to take a bite. But suddenly, the Big Ten is playing chef, and the smoke is blowing in a different direction. The Big Ten has officially ended SEC dominance, not with one but with two consecutive national titles. First, Michigan’s triumph over Washington last year, and now, Ohio State’s 34-23 victory over Notre Dame. What’s even more impressive is how much green all this winning has brought into the coffers. The financial landscape has shifted dramatically, and Notre Dame, always an outlier, finds itself swimming in gold.

Ryan Day and the Bucks showered in the confetti settled and the checks clear, winning over the Irish on Jan. 20. The conference has been relentless in its pursuit of excellence. And has invested in recruiting, facilities, and media rights to create a brand that rivals the SEC juggernaut. It’s about a top-to-bottom ecosystem where teams like Penn State, Michigan, and even Iowa contributed to the Big Ten’s playoff dominance.

With six wins in the newly expanded 12-team CFP debut, the B1G stood tall as the most successful conference in the postseason. “We have the pieces in place now,” Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua said, almost as if grudgingly admitting the Big Ten’s ascension.

Financially, the Big Ten’s postseason success translated to a staggering $46 million payday, according to math by Front Office Sports. The SEC, long accustomed to holding the biggest slice of the pie, was relegated to second place with $26 million—hardly chump change, but a far cry from its usual position at the top. Meanwhile, Notre Dame’s independent status allowed it to collect a massive haul all on its own.

Performance bonuses from their playoff run, including the Orange Bowl win over Penn State, earned the Irish $20 million. “The playoff expansion to 12 teams helps us,” Bevacqua added, underlining Notre Dame’s strategy to stay independent, keep all the spoils, and avoid the revenue-sharing headaches that come with conference membership.

Notre Dame’s journey through the playoffs wasn’t just a testament to its resilience but also a masterclass in strategic earnings. The Irish earned $4 million just for qualifying for the playoffs, another $4 million for making the quarterfinals, $6 million for the semifinals, and an additional $6 million for reaching the championship game.

That’s the kind of incremental earning potential that makes you rethink the entire structure of college athletics. Unlike its conference-affiliated counterparts, Notre Dame doesn’t have to split this windfall with anyone. Every dollar stays in South Bend, fueling a program that’s already backed by a lucrative media rights deal with NBC. As Matt Hayes of USA TODAY Sports aptly noted, “Notre Dame doesn’t need a conference. It’s a conference of one.”

This financial independence is precisely why Notre Dame remains an outlier in college football’s shifting landscape. While conferences like the Big Ten and SEC are locking in billion-dollar TV deals and expanding westward, Notre Dame continues to thrive as a solo act. Their ability to remain relevant, both competitively and financially, is nothing short of remarkable.

Bevacqua’s comments make it clear that the Irish see the expanded playoff as a boon, not a burden. However, there’s always a risk. The longer the Irish stay independent, the more they gamble on maintaining their current success. One bad season, one coaching change, and the allure of independence could quickly lose its shine.

It’s a model that’s built for longevity, even in a landscape where conference realignment seems to change the rules every season. Achievement so big even bought words from the most stoic EPSN analyst.

Paul Finebaum makes a claim that could make other conf. jealous

Ohio State pulling off a National Championship win right after Michigan’s success makes for a juicy storyline in college football. It’s not every day that the Big Ten steals the spotlight from the SEC, but according to ESPN’s Paul Finebaum, that’s exactly what’s happening.

“The Big Ten, at the moment, owns college football,” Finebaum declared. “And there’s no way you can say it doesn’t. It’s an uncomfortable feeling for the SEC, which has owned the sport. But it’s a reality this morning.” Strong words from a guy who’s spent years preaching SEC dominance, huh?

What really stood out was Ohio State’s ability to notch wins over six of the top eight teams in the final College Football Playoff rankings. That’s no small feat. Ryan Day deserves a round of applause for the job he did in 2024. He turned a good team into an elite one. And he did it when the pressure was at an all-time high.