It would be safe to say that the SEC is one of, if not the most difficult, conferences in football. Garrett Nussmeier is of a similar opinion, and he recently mentioned it to the press during the SEC media days, drawing mixed reactions from fans on the internet.
On3 Sports college football insider Brett McMurphy shared Nussmeier’s quote on X, writing:
“LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier: ‘The SEC is the toughest conference in football. I don’t care what anyone says.'”
LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier: “The SEC is the toughest conference in football. I don’t care what anyone says”
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 14, 2025
However, a few fans disagreed with the LSU Tigers signal-caller’s assessment and expressed themselves online.
“Lil bro coping with the fact that he isn’t in the Big Ten 😭,” wrote one fan.
“Didn’t he lose to USC?” wrote another fan, in a clear reference to the Trojans being in the Big Ten.
“Surely the SEC won the head to head match up against the Big 10 last year then…right??? Wait, right?!?!???!” someone said the SEC didn’t beat the Big Ten in head-to-head encounters last year.
“Why are SEC players, coaches, media, ADs, and fans so insecure? It’s like they constantly need affirmation—always yelling they’re the best. Feels more like an echo chamber than confidence. Almost like a built-in excuse for when they lose,” claimed an X user.
Others seemed to defend Nussmeier’s point of view.
“Uh oh here come the non ball knowers,” wrote one person.
“He’s not wrong,” claimed another.
Last season, the SEC had an 8-7 bowl record while the Big Ten was 11-6. The Big Ten also won its second national title in a row, and it got the better of the SEC in head-to-head matchups during bowl games (1-5).
Brian Kelly Praises Garrett Nussmeier at SEC Media Days
At the SEC media days, LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly discussed what’s ahead for the program in 2025.
Among the things he highlighted was the high level of confidence he has in his starting quarterback, Garrett Nussmeier.
“All we’ve seen is him leading, him being selfless. His selflessness will be the differentiator from last year to this year, as well as his experience playing against excellent SEC teams,” Kelly said.
With odds of +850, Nussmeier is one of the favorites to win the 2025 Heisman Trophy, according to BetMGM. The only player with better odds (+600) is Texas’ Arch Manning.
Nussmeier showed a promising season as a full-starter, recording 4052 yards, with 29 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions, and a QBR of 80.0, which ranked 10th in the nation. Despite this, he won no major individual accolades, and the Tigers failed to make the College Football Playoff, ending the year with an overall record of 9-4.
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