The Reign of the North: Examining the "King of the North" Title in College Football
The phrase "King of the North" in college football signifies a shift in power dynamics, particularly the rise of northern teams after a period of southern dominance. In recent years, the landscape of college football has witnessed a leveling out of factors that previously hindered the North, including coaching, talent distribution, and overall approach to the sport.
The Shifting Sands of Power
For a significant period, approximately 25 years, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the South held sway over the Big Ten and the North. This dominance was fueled by various factors, including demographic shifts that concentrated top high school football prospects in the South. The SEC's success also raised questions about the role of unethical practices in their victories.
However, the tide appears to be turning. Everything that held the North back on a national level - coaches, the geography of talent, and attitudes about how college football should be treated - seems to have leveled out. After two straight national titles and an all-North championship game in Atlanta, balance has returned to college football.
Factors Contributing to the North's Ascendancy
Several elements have contributed to the resurgence of northern teams:
Coaching Prowess: The South historically had an edge in attracting and retaining top coaching talent, often through financial incentives. However, the North has closed this gap, with programs investing in coaching and developing innovative strategies. The emergence of coaches like Nick Saban and Urban Meyer, natives of the North who achieved success in the South, highlighted the importance of coaching acumen.
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Talent Acquisition: Demographic shifts once favored the South in terms of recruiting top high school prospects. As the SEC took control of college football, demographic shifts helped fuel that dominance by ensuring the region was flush with a large percentage of the country's best high school football prospects. However, the North has broadened its recruiting reach and improved its ability to attract talent from across the country.
Attitudinal Changes: Attitudes toward college football in the North have evolved, with programs recognizing the need to invest in facilities, resources, and player development to compete at the highest level.
The "Kings of the North" Podcast and Big Ten Media Days
The "Kings of the North" podcast, hosted by Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis, provides in-depth coverage of Big Ten football and the shifting dynamics between the North and the South. The podcast features discussions on various topics, including:
- Team Analysis: Comprehensive breakdowns of Big Ten teams, including their strengths, weaknesses, and outlook for the upcoming season.
- Recruiting: Analysis of recruiting trends and their impact on team performance.
- Coaching: Discussions on coaching strategies, hires, and their influence on the conference.
- Conference Comparisons: Comparisons between the Big Ten and other conferences, particularly the SEC, in terms of competitiveness and overall strength.
The podcast also provides coverage from Big Ten Media Days, offering insights from coaches, players, and conference officials.
The 25 Year Winter
The South and the SEC took over college football starting in 1998 -- and the North and the Big Ten helped let it happen. This five-part podcast series will examine the how and why of that -- from coaches to players to attitudes to geography to cheating to luck. Episode 1 starts with a moment of Northern superiority -- the 2006 showdown between No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Michigan. Then it explains how it all unraveled, including some close calls for the North that might have rendered this podcast moot if they'd gone another way. And yeah, once the South started winning, the South started bragging. Hosts Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis from the daily college college football Kings of the North appreciate you being here, and they hope you enjoy The 25 Year Winter. Producer: Michael Henahan.
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Big Ten Preseason Poll
Big Ten Media Days are here, and Kings of the North will be bringing you coverage from Las Vegas all week. To kick things off, here is the KOTN Preseason Big Ten Poll, the largest and most comprehensive Big Ten poll out there. KOTN gathered 54 voters -- at least one beat reporter from every Big Ten team and two from most -- as well as 20 national college football reporters to put together this poll. Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis break down the results on this episode. That includes Penn State as the pick to win the regular season and the Big Ten Championship Game; a healthy, strong middle of the league; and Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs as the Preseason Players of the Year. Thanks for joining KOTN. Catch coverage from Las Vegas all week. And don't miss the new narrative podcast series in your feed -- The 25 Year Winter.
All-America Teams
The College Football All-America Team is an honorific college football all-star team compiled after each NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) season to recognize that season's most outstanding performers at their respective positions. There are several organizations that select their own All-America teams. Since 1924, the NCAA has designated selectors whose teams are used to determine "consensus" and "unanimous" All-Americans. Unanimous All-Americans are considered "elite, the cream of the crop from any particular season."[2] Many are later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, and many also go on to have successful professional football careers. From 1924 to 2000, 364 players were unanimous selections at least once. Thus, only a handful of players-if any-each season receive the honor. Ohio State has the most unanimous All-America selections of any school with 42 selections. In 2020, Alabama tied a record set in 2003 by University of Oklahoma with five unanimous selections in one year. Eighty-nine schools have had at least one unanimous All-America selection; the most recent schools to produce their first unanimous All-American are Cincinnati and Northwestern, doing so in 2022. The most recent All-America team, that of 2025, included 13 unanimous selections. Only 31 players have been selected a unanimous All-American in multiple seasons, the most recent being Caleb Downs of Ohio State in 2024 and 2025.
The Feudal Hierarchy of College Football Programs
The concept of a "King of the North" also relates to the broader hierarchy of college football programs. One ranking system divides power conference teams into a four-tiered feudal hierarchy: Kings, Barons, Knights, and Peasants. This ranking, while subjective, reflects the national cachet and brand recognition of different programs.
- Kings: Programs with a strong national following, consistent success, and the ability to draw significant TV ratings.
- Barons: Programs with a solid regional presence and a history of success, but lacking the national appeal of the Kings.
- Knights: Programs with occasional success and a developing fan base.
- Peasants: Programs with limited national recognition and a history of struggles.
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