We're rapidly closing in on bowl season in the world of college football, so as we ask around this time every year, "How do the Power 5 conferences compare to one another? Is one superior to the other four?" While the SEC has been seen in the eyes of many as the best conference in recent years, with the Pac-12 being the runner-up, these same individuals have claimed that the SEC has played second fiddle to the Big Ten this year. So is that the case? Let's look at the numbers...
ACC
Bowl eligible teams: 11 of 14 (78.6%)
Record vs. Power 5 (and Notre Dame): 12-8 (.600)
12 wins
6 home and 6 away games
ACC teams: 97-47 (.653)
ACC opponents: 71-72 (.497)
Difference: +0.156
Combined score: 432-260 (average of 36.0 - 21.7 = +14.3)
8 losses
4 home and 4 away games
ACC teams: 48-36 (.571)
ACC opponents: 49-46 (.516)
Difference: +0.055
Combined score: 223-312 (average of 27.9 - 39.0 = -11.9)
Overall
10 home and 10 away games
ACC teams: 145-83 (.636)
ACC opponents: 120-118 (.504)
Difference: +0.132
Combined score: 655-572 (average of 32.8 - 28.6 = +4.2)
Big XII
Bowl eligible teams: 6 of 10 (60.0%)
Record vs. Power 5 (and Notre Dame): 3-6 (.333)
3 wins
3 home and 0 away games
Big XII teams: 23-11 (.676)
Big XII opponents: 16-20 (.444)
Difference: +0.232
Combined score: 121-96 (average of 40.3 - 32.0 = +8.3)
6 losses
2 home and 4 away games
Big XII teams: 35-35 (.500)
Big XII opponents: 45-27 (.625)
Difference: -0.125
Combined score: 176-272 (average of 29.3 - 45.3 = -16.0)
Overall
5 home and 4 away games
Big XII teams: 78-46 (.629)
Big XII opponents: 61-47 (.565)
Difference: +0.064
Combined score: 297-368 (average of 33.0 - 40.9 = -7.9)
Big Ten
Bowl eligible teams: 10 of 14 (71.4%)
Record vs. Power 5 (and Notre Dame): 8-4 (.667)
8 wins
6 home and 2 away games
Big Ten teams: 65-31 (.677)
Big Ten opponents: 45-49 (.479)
Difference: +0.198
Combined score: 273-165 (average of 34.1 - 20.6 = +13.5)
4 losses
2 home and 2 away games
Big Ten teams: 21-27 (.438)
Big Ten opponents: 33-15 (.688)
Difference: -0.250
Combined score: 103-171 (average of 25.8 - 42.8 = -17.0)
Overall
8 home and 4 away games
Big Ten teams: 86-58 (.597)
Big Ten opponents: 78-64 (.549)
Difference: +0.048
Combined score: 376-336 (average of 31.3 - 28.0 = +3.3)
Pac-12
Bowl eligible teams: 6 of 12 (50.0%)
Record vs. Power 5 (and Notre Dame): 7-5 (.583)
7 wins
6 home and 1 away game(s)
Pac-12 teams: 42-32 (.568)
Pac-12 opponents: 25-47 (.347)
Difference: +0.221
Combined score: 298-187 (average of 42.6 - 26.7 = +15.9)
5 losses
1 home and 4 away game(s)
Pac-12 teams: 31-29 (.517)
Pac-12 opponents: 47-13 (.783)
Difference: -0.266
Combined score: 113-193 (average of 22.6 - 38.6 = -16.0)
Overall
7 home and 5 away games
Pac-12 teams: 73-61 (.545)
Pac-12 opponents: 72-60 (.545)
Difference: +/-0.000
Combined score: 411-380 (average of 34.3 - 31.7 = +2.6)
SEC
Bowl eligible teams: 11 of 14 (78.6%)
Record vs. Power 5 (and Notre Dame): 6-8 (.429)
6 wins
1 home and 5 away game(s)
SEC teams: 49-23 (.681)
SEC opponents: 45-36 (.556)
Difference: +0.125
Combined score: 243-154 (average of 40.5 - 25.7 = +14.8)
8 losses
4 home and 4 away games
SEC teams: 51-43 (.543)
SEC opponents: 75-20 (.789)
Difference: -0.246
Combined score: 126-259 (average of 15.8 - 32.8 = -17.0)
Overall
5 home and 9 away games
SEC teams: 100-66 (.602)
SEC opponents: 120-56 (.682)
Difference: -0.080
Combined score: 369-413 (average of 26.4 - 29.5 = -3.1)
Bowl eligibles
1) ACC: 78.6%
1) SEC: 78.6%
3) Big Ten: 71.4%
4) Big XII: 60.0%
5) Pac-12: 50.0%
Record
1) Big Ten: .667
2) ACC: .600
3) Pac-12: .583
4) SEC: .429
5) Big XII: .333
Difference
1) SEC: -0.080
2) Pac-12: +/-0.000
3) Big Ten: +0.048
4) Big XII: +0.064
5) ACC: +0.132
Combined score
1) ACC: +4.2
2) Big Ten: +3.3
3) Pac-12: +2.6
4) SEC: -3.1
5) Big XII: -7.9
Home games
1) SEC: 35.7%
2) ACC: 50.0%
3) Big XII: 55.6%
4) Pac-12: 58.3%
5) Big Ten: 66.7%
Overall
1) ACC: 11 (out of a possible 25/tie-breaker: 6-3 vs. SEC)
2) SEC: 11 (out of 25)
3) Big Ten: 14 (out of 25)
4) Pac-12: 17 (out of 25)
5) Big XII: 21 (out of 25)
Final Thoughts
While I'll agree that the Big Ten is an improved conference this year and the SEC isn't as dominant as in years past, I still see both the SEC and ACC as being superior to the Big Ten this season. The Big Ten is incredibly top heavy, with four teams currently ranked in the top 10: #2 Ohio State, #5 Michigan, #6 Wisconsin, and #8 Penn State. However, Penn State lost to 8-4 Pittsburgh, Michigan's big non-conference win was against a Colorado team who lost their quarterback during the contest, and the rest of the conference has been inconsistently unimpressive, to be kind. Nebraska's gotten blown out one too many times for me to truly consider them as a top 25-worthy team. Iowa lost to North Dakota State. Minnesota's lone win against a winning opponent was early in the season versus 7-5 Colorado State. After starting the year 4-0, Maryland lost 6 of their last 8 games, with their only wins coming against Michigan State and Rutgers, who combined to go 5-19 this season. Indiana and Northwestern are the epitomes of 6-6-caliber teams. Michigan State isn't as bad as their 3-9 record would indicate, but Illinois, Purdue, and Rutgers are arguably three of the worst teams in the Power 5. The Big Ten is superior to a down Pac-12 and struggling Big XII, but at least before bowl season, I see them as ranking in the middle of the pack as far as the Power 5 is concerned.
The SEC may be down this year, but they're still one of the top conferences in all of football. Alabama is the lone undefeated Power 5 team left, destroying #10 USC early in the season. Auburn has rebounded from a disappointing '15-'16 season, almost beating Clemson along the way. Tennessee defeated Virginia Tech early in the year - the Hokies one of the two teams which will be featured in the ACC Championship game this coming weekend. Texas A&M, LSU, and Florida all had solid years and could find themselves finishing in the top 25. Georgia disappointed many, but is still bowl eligible. Arkansas fits a similar description. Kentucky, on the other hand, surprised many with their 7-5 finish. South Carolina and Vanderbilt will likely go bowling as well, as both the Gamecocks and Commodores finished their regular seasons at an even 6-6. The bottom of the conference isn't nearly as bad as the Big Ten's either, as 5-7 Mississippi and Mississippi State could still slide into a bowl game due to a lack of eligible clubs. The Rebels even gave 9-3 Florida State their share of troubles early in the year. The worst team in the conference, Missouri, only lost to 9-2 West Virginia of the Big XII by 15 points.
The ACC hasn't received as much love from ESPN commentators as they probably should. Of the 14 teams in conference, 11 are bowl eligible, and 8 have 8-4 records or better. While unlikely, if things break right for the conference come bowl season, the ACC could wind up with as many as 8 teams in the AP top 25. With a win over Virginia Tech on Saturday, Clemson will find itself in a second consecutive playoff. While Louisville has struggled of late, the Cardinals remain one of the most dynamic and exciting teams in all of football. Florida State has started finally showing how good of a team they can be. Virginia Tech is vastly improved from a season ago. North Carolina and Miami (Florida), when they're clicking, can be two of the most explosive teams in the country. Pittsburgh appears to be a team on the rise, beating both #8 Penn State and #3 Clemson this year. Georgia Tech also had a fine season under Paul Johnson. If that wasn't enough, North Carolina State, Wake Forest, and Boston College all closed their regular seasons at 6-6 and will likely be playing postseason games.
As far as the other two conferences go, the Pac-12 remains a mystery, but while there are definitely some good teams in the conference, Washington and USC in particular, the conference is too evenly divided between good and not so good. Oregon, UCLA, and Arizona all had down years. California couldn't stop anybody on the defensive side of the ball. Arizona State didn't do much of that either. Oregon State was nothing to write home about. It was an upside down league this year, as Washington, Colorado, and Washington State found themselves at or near the top. Stanford was solid, but underachieved. Utah was pesky as usual. USC started off slow, but closed so strong, there was talk about them possibly going to the playoffs had Utah defeated Colorado this past weekend. I'll probably be more curious to see how Pac-12 teams fare in bowl games than any other conference, as during the regular season, against the other Power 5 conferences, Pac-12 teams were either unfairly overmatched or unfairly overmatched their opponents. In my mind, there are more questions than answers about this conference heading into December. Lastly, the Big XII now resembles the WAC from the '90s. If you like defense, I'd recommend the Pac-12 over the Big XII. Yes, I'm serious. Not only that, but the Big XII is going through an image problem, much like the Big Ten went through a few years ago. Texas is down. Oklahoma has struggled in the postseason. Baylor and TCU are in rebuilding mode. Oklahoma State has had trouble taking that next step form perennial bowl team to team ready to challenge for a playoff spot. Kansas and Iowa State have been co-cellar dwellers. It's a good bet Texas Tech will finish between 5-7 and 7-5 year in and year out. Bill Snyder makes the most out of his talent at Kansas State, but that tends to result in a borderline top 25 team, at best. West Virginia has improved quite a bit this season, but still aren't a great football team. Like Ohio State accomplished for the Big Ten a couple of years ago, the Big XII needs a team to step up and bring a championship home to help improve the reputation of its league. Unfortunately for them, that's highly unlikely to happen this year, for unless total chaos ensues, the playoff committee will likely leave the Big XII out yet again.
ACC
Bowl eligible teams: 11 of 14 (78.6%)
Record vs. Power 5 (and Notre Dame): 12-8 (.600)
12 wins
6 home and 6 away games
ACC teams: 97-47 (.653)
ACC opponents: 71-72 (.497)
Difference: +0.156
Combined score: 432-260 (average of 36.0 - 21.7 = +14.3)
8 losses
4 home and 4 away games
ACC teams: 48-36 (.571)
ACC opponents: 49-46 (.516)
Difference: +0.055
Combined score: 223-312 (average of 27.9 - 39.0 = -11.9)
Overall
10 home and 10 away games
ACC teams: 145-83 (.636)
ACC opponents: 120-118 (.504)
Difference: +0.132
Combined score: 655-572 (average of 32.8 - 28.6 = +4.2)
Big XII
Bowl eligible teams: 6 of 10 (60.0%)
Record vs. Power 5 (and Notre Dame): 3-6 (.333)
3 wins
3 home and 0 away games
Big XII teams: 23-11 (.676)
Big XII opponents: 16-20 (.444)
Difference: +0.232
Combined score: 121-96 (average of 40.3 - 32.0 = +8.3)
6 losses
2 home and 4 away games
Big XII teams: 35-35 (.500)
Big XII opponents: 45-27 (.625)
Difference: -0.125
Combined score: 176-272 (average of 29.3 - 45.3 = -16.0)
Overall
5 home and 4 away games
Big XII teams: 78-46 (.629)
Big XII opponents: 61-47 (.565)
Difference: +0.064
Combined score: 297-368 (average of 33.0 - 40.9 = -7.9)
Big Ten
Bowl eligible teams: 10 of 14 (71.4%)
Record vs. Power 5 (and Notre Dame): 8-4 (.667)
8 wins
6 home and 2 away games
Big Ten teams: 65-31 (.677)
Big Ten opponents: 45-49 (.479)
Difference: +0.198
Combined score: 273-165 (average of 34.1 - 20.6 = +13.5)
4 losses
2 home and 2 away games
Big Ten teams: 21-27 (.438)
Big Ten opponents: 33-15 (.688)
Difference: -0.250
Combined score: 103-171 (average of 25.8 - 42.8 = -17.0)
Overall
8 home and 4 away games
Big Ten teams: 86-58 (.597)
Big Ten opponents: 78-64 (.549)
Difference: +0.048
Combined score: 376-336 (average of 31.3 - 28.0 = +3.3)
Pac-12
Bowl eligible teams: 6 of 12 (50.0%)
Record vs. Power 5 (and Notre Dame): 7-5 (.583)
7 wins
6 home and 1 away game(s)
Pac-12 teams: 42-32 (.568)
Pac-12 opponents: 25-47 (.347)
Difference: +0.221
Combined score: 298-187 (average of 42.6 - 26.7 = +15.9)
5 losses
1 home and 4 away game(s)
Pac-12 teams: 31-29 (.517)
Pac-12 opponents: 47-13 (.783)
Difference: -0.266
Combined score: 113-193 (average of 22.6 - 38.6 = -16.0)
Overall
7 home and 5 away games
Pac-12 teams: 73-61 (.545)
Pac-12 opponents: 72-60 (.545)
Difference: +/-0.000
Combined score: 411-380 (average of 34.3 - 31.7 = +2.6)
SEC
Bowl eligible teams: 11 of 14 (78.6%)
Record vs. Power 5 (and Notre Dame): 6-8 (.429)
6 wins
1 home and 5 away game(s)
SEC teams: 49-23 (.681)
SEC opponents: 45-36 (.556)
Difference: +0.125
Combined score: 243-154 (average of 40.5 - 25.7 = +14.8)
8 losses
4 home and 4 away games
SEC teams: 51-43 (.543)
SEC opponents: 75-20 (.789)
Difference: -0.246
Combined score: 126-259 (average of 15.8 - 32.8 = -17.0)
Overall
5 home and 9 away games
SEC teams: 100-66 (.602)
SEC opponents: 120-56 (.682)
Difference: -0.080
Combined score: 369-413 (average of 26.4 - 29.5 = -3.1)
Bowl eligibles
1) ACC: 78.6%
1) SEC: 78.6%
3) Big Ten: 71.4%
4) Big XII: 60.0%
5) Pac-12: 50.0%
Record
1) Big Ten: .667
2) ACC: .600
3) Pac-12: .583
4) SEC: .429
5) Big XII: .333
Difference
1) SEC: -0.080
2) Pac-12: +/-0.000
3) Big Ten: +0.048
4) Big XII: +0.064
5) ACC: +0.132
Combined score
1) ACC: +4.2
2) Big Ten: +3.3
3) Pac-12: +2.6
4) SEC: -3.1
5) Big XII: -7.9
Home games
1) SEC: 35.7%
2) ACC: 50.0%
3) Big XII: 55.6%
4) Pac-12: 58.3%
5) Big Ten: 66.7%
Overall
1) ACC: 11 (out of a possible 25/tie-breaker: 6-3 vs. SEC)
2) SEC: 11 (out of 25)
3) Big Ten: 14 (out of 25)
4) Pac-12: 17 (out of 25)
5) Big XII: 21 (out of 25)
Final Thoughts
While I'll agree that the Big Ten is an improved conference this year and the SEC isn't as dominant as in years past, I still see both the SEC and ACC as being superior to the Big Ten this season. The Big Ten is incredibly top heavy, with four teams currently ranked in the top 10: #2 Ohio State, #5 Michigan, #6 Wisconsin, and #8 Penn State. However, Penn State lost to 8-4 Pittsburgh, Michigan's big non-conference win was against a Colorado team who lost their quarterback during the contest, and the rest of the conference has been inconsistently unimpressive, to be kind. Nebraska's gotten blown out one too many times for me to truly consider them as a top 25-worthy team. Iowa lost to North Dakota State. Minnesota's lone win against a winning opponent was early in the season versus 7-5 Colorado State. After starting the year 4-0, Maryland lost 6 of their last 8 games, with their only wins coming against Michigan State and Rutgers, who combined to go 5-19 this season. Indiana and Northwestern are the epitomes of 6-6-caliber teams. Michigan State isn't as bad as their 3-9 record would indicate, but Illinois, Purdue, and Rutgers are arguably three of the worst teams in the Power 5. The Big Ten is superior to a down Pac-12 and struggling Big XII, but at least before bowl season, I see them as ranking in the middle of the pack as far as the Power 5 is concerned.
The SEC may be down this year, but they're still one of the top conferences in all of football. Alabama is the lone undefeated Power 5 team left, destroying #10 USC early in the season. Auburn has rebounded from a disappointing '15-'16 season, almost beating Clemson along the way. Tennessee defeated Virginia Tech early in the year - the Hokies one of the two teams which will be featured in the ACC Championship game this coming weekend. Texas A&M, LSU, and Florida all had solid years and could find themselves finishing in the top 25. Georgia disappointed many, but is still bowl eligible. Arkansas fits a similar description. Kentucky, on the other hand, surprised many with their 7-5 finish. South Carolina and Vanderbilt will likely go bowling as well, as both the Gamecocks and Commodores finished their regular seasons at an even 6-6. The bottom of the conference isn't nearly as bad as the Big Ten's either, as 5-7 Mississippi and Mississippi State could still slide into a bowl game due to a lack of eligible clubs. The Rebels even gave 9-3 Florida State their share of troubles early in the year. The worst team in the conference, Missouri, only lost to 9-2 West Virginia of the Big XII by 15 points.
The ACC hasn't received as much love from ESPN commentators as they probably should. Of the 14 teams in conference, 11 are bowl eligible, and 8 have 8-4 records or better. While unlikely, if things break right for the conference come bowl season, the ACC could wind up with as many as 8 teams in the AP top 25. With a win over Virginia Tech on Saturday, Clemson will find itself in a second consecutive playoff. While Louisville has struggled of late, the Cardinals remain one of the most dynamic and exciting teams in all of football. Florida State has started finally showing how good of a team they can be. Virginia Tech is vastly improved from a season ago. North Carolina and Miami (Florida), when they're clicking, can be two of the most explosive teams in the country. Pittsburgh appears to be a team on the rise, beating both #8 Penn State and #3 Clemson this year. Georgia Tech also had a fine season under Paul Johnson. If that wasn't enough, North Carolina State, Wake Forest, and Boston College all closed their regular seasons at 6-6 and will likely be playing postseason games.
As far as the other two conferences go, the Pac-12 remains a mystery, but while there are definitely some good teams in the conference, Washington and USC in particular, the conference is too evenly divided between good and not so good. Oregon, UCLA, and Arizona all had down years. California couldn't stop anybody on the defensive side of the ball. Arizona State didn't do much of that either. Oregon State was nothing to write home about. It was an upside down league this year, as Washington, Colorado, and Washington State found themselves at or near the top. Stanford was solid, but underachieved. Utah was pesky as usual. USC started off slow, but closed so strong, there was talk about them possibly going to the playoffs had Utah defeated Colorado this past weekend. I'll probably be more curious to see how Pac-12 teams fare in bowl games than any other conference, as during the regular season, against the other Power 5 conferences, Pac-12 teams were either unfairly overmatched or unfairly overmatched their opponents. In my mind, there are more questions than answers about this conference heading into December. Lastly, the Big XII now resembles the WAC from the '90s. If you like defense, I'd recommend the Pac-12 over the Big XII. Yes, I'm serious. Not only that, but the Big XII is going through an image problem, much like the Big Ten went through a few years ago. Texas is down. Oklahoma has struggled in the postseason. Baylor and TCU are in rebuilding mode. Oklahoma State has had trouble taking that next step form perennial bowl team to team ready to challenge for a playoff spot. Kansas and Iowa State have been co-cellar dwellers. It's a good bet Texas Tech will finish between 5-7 and 7-5 year in and year out. Bill Snyder makes the most out of his talent at Kansas State, but that tends to result in a borderline top 25 team, at best. West Virginia has improved quite a bit this season, but still aren't a great football team. Like Ohio State accomplished for the Big Ten a couple of years ago, the Big XII needs a team to step up and bring a championship home to help improve the reputation of its league. Unfortunately for them, that's highly unlikely to happen this year, for unless total chaos ensues, the playoff committee will likely leave the Big XII out yet again.
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