Ohio State football star details difference between Big Ten, SEC — and admits flaw in his argument

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is an expert on SEC and Big Ten football.

The All-American started his collegiate career at Alabama where, in 2023, he was named SEC Freshman of the Year.

However, after Nick Saban’s retirement, Downs transferred to Ohio State.

While appearing on “See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack,” Downs detailed the difference between the conferences.

“I would definitely say SEC… you’re playing dudes every week,” Downs said. “That’s something that you have to prepare your body for, prepare your mind for.

“I would say Big Ten, you’re going to have four or five games maybe where… you’re going to have to play high-level competition and really be able to be at your highest point.”

Downs said he arrived in Columbus with that belief but results disproved his argument a bit.

“I said that when I first got to Ohio State, and then a lot of the teams that were in the Big Ten, when it came to bowl games, they ended up beating the SEC team,” Downs said.

During the 2024 postseason, the Big Ten went 5-1 against SEC teams.