Final BCS Poll: Ranking Each Team's Strength Of Schedule

When I began writing this article I admit I went in with certain preconceived opinions.

For example, I—an Iowa Hawkeye fan—assumed that the Big Ten teams strength-of-schedule might not be at the top of the list, but it wouldn't be at the bottom.

Moreover, I expected Boise State to come in with an embarrassing number.

Finally, while I have never questioned whether the SEC was the most competitive conference, I certainly never gave them credit for the degree of competitiveness.

That said, my ranking system is fairly simple. A team receives points based on the following criteria:

• Out-of-conference road games: .5 points each
• Games against top 25 teams (at time of game): One point each
• Games against bowl eligible teams: Two points each
• Games against top 25 teams (final BCS poll): Three points each
• Games against top 10 teams (final BCS poll): Four points each
• Games at a top conference venue: .25 points each
• Games against FCS opponent: Minus-one point each

The majority of the system is fairly objective. The one subjective area is the games at the top conference venue. In that case, I just didn't think it was fair to say that an away game at Florida was equal in difficulty to an away game at Vanderbilt.

However, I also didn't think it was fair for me to be the arbiter of what was particularly challenging and what wasn't. In effect, for the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-10, and SEC, the top half of the conference in attendance figures was considered a "top conference venue."

For the Big East, West Virginia, and Pitt were the only ones to be considered a "top" venue. For the WAC, Hawaii and Boise State qualified, for the Mountain West, TCU, BYU, and Utah were considered, and none of the stadiums in Conference USA qualified.

Again, there is some degree of subjectivity there, but not too much. Besides, at .25 points, the effect was minimized.

It is also probably unfair that Alabama got the same amount of points for a roadie at Duke that Florida State got for a roadie at Oklahoma. Nevertheless, again, at .5 points, the effect was minimal.

In conclusion, next time I call Boise State's schedule "junior varsity," I'll think twice. Moreover, I still don't like Auburn and I can't stand Gene Chizik, but they have more than earned their trip to Glendale.

Central Florida Golden Knights

Conference: Conference USA

Final Record: 10-3

Out-of-Conference Road Games: Two (one point)

Games Against Top 25 Teams (at time of game): None

Games Against Bowl Eligible Teams: Five (10 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams: None

Games Against Top 10 Teams: None

Games At Top Conference Venues: None

Games Against FCS Opponent: One (minus-one point)

Total Points: 10 points

TCU Horned Frogs

George Frey/Getty Images

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - NOVEMBER 6: Fans of the TCU Horned Frogs cheer during a game against the Utah Utes during the second half of an NCAA Football game November 6, 2010 at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. TCU Beat Utah 47-7. (Photo by George

Conference: Mountain West

Final Record: 12-0

Out-of-Conference Road Games: One (.5 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams (at time of game): Two (two points)

Games Against Bowl Eligible Teams: Six (12 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams: One (three points)

Games Against Top 10 Teams: None

Away Games At Top Conference Venues: One (.25 points)

Games Against FCS Opponent: One (minus-one point)

Total Points: 16.75 points

Nevada Wolf Pack

Conference: Western Athletic Conference

Final Record: 12-1

Out-of-Conference Road Games: Two (one point)

Games Against Top 25 Teams (at time of game): One (one point)

Games Against Bowl Eligible Teams: Five (ten points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams: Two (six points)

Games Against Top 10 Teams: None

Games At Top Conference Venues: One (.25 points)

Games Against FCS Opponent: One (minus-one point) 

Total Points: 17.25 points

Utah Utes

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 20: The Utah Utes get ready to take the field for the game with the San Diego State Aztecs at Qualcomm Stadium on November 20, 2010 in San Diego, California. Utah won 38-34. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Conference: Mountain West

Final Record: 10-2

Out-of-Conference Road Games: Two (one point)

Games Against Top 25 Teams (at time of game): Two (two points)

Games Against Bowl Eligible Teams: Six (12 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams: One (three points)

Games Against Top 10 Teams: One (four points)

Away Games At Top Conference Venues: None

Games Against FCS Opponent: One (minus-one point)

Total Points: 21 points

West Virginia Mountaineers

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LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 20: Noel Devine #7 of the West Virginia Mountaineers celebrates after runing for a touchdown during the Big East Conference game against the Louisville Cardinals at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Louisville

Conference: Big East

Final Record: 9-3

Out-of-Conference Road Games: Two (one point)

Games Against Top 25 Teams (at time of game): One (one point)

Games Against Bowl Eligible Teams: Seven (14 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams: One (three points)

Games Against Top 10 Teams: One (four points)

Games At Top Venues: One (.25 points)

Games Against FCS Opponent: One (minus-one point)

Total Points: 22.25 points

Hawaii Warriors

Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

HONOLULU - SEPTEMBER 02: A rainbow appeared during the season opener between the Hawaii Warriors and the University of Southern California Trojans at Aloha Stadium September 2, 2010 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

Conference: Western Athletic Conference

Final Record: 10-3

Out-of-Conference Road Games: Two (1 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams (at time of game): Three (three points)

Games Against Bowl Eligible Teams: Five (10 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams: Three (nine points)

Games Against Top 10 Teams: None

Away Games At Top Conference Venues: One (.25 points)

Games Against FCS Opponent: One (minus-one point)

Total Points: 23.25 points

Michigan State Spartans

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Le'Veon Bell #24 of the Michigan State Spartans fields a kick-off against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 35-27. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/G

Conference: Big Ten

Final Record: 11-1

Out-of-Conference Road Games: None 

Games Against Top 25 Teams (at time of game): Three (three points)

Games Against Bowl Eligible Teams: Seven (14 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams: One (three points)

Games Against Top 10 Teams: One (four points)

Away Games At Top Conference Venues: Three (.75 points)

Games Against FCS Opponent: One (minus-one point)

Total Points: 23.75 points

Oregon Ducks

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

BERKELEY, CA - NOVEMBER 13: Darron Thomas #1 of the Oregon Ducks in action during their game against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Conference: PAC 10

Final Record: 12-0

Out-of-Conference Road Games: One (.5 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams (at time of game): Three (three points)

Games Against Bowl Eligible Teams: Seven (14 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams: One (three points)

Games Against Top 10 Teams: One (four points)

Away Games At Top Conference Venues: Two (.5 points)

Games Against FCS Opponent: One (minus-one point)

Total Points: 24 points

Ohio State Buckeyes

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Conference: Big Ten

Final Record: 11-1

Out-of-Conference Road Games: None 

Games Against Top 25 Teams (at time of game): Three (three points)

Games Against Bowl Eligible Teams: Seven (14 points) 

Games Against Top 25 Teams: One (three points)

Games Against Top 10 Teams: One (four points)

Away Games At Top Conference Venues: Two (.5 points)

Games Against FCS Opponent: None

Total Points: 24 points

Boise State Broncos

Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images

BOISE, ID - NOVEMBER 19: Winston Venable #17 leads the Boise State Broncos onto the field before their game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Bronco Stadium on November 19, 2010 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images)

Conference: Western Athletic Conference

Final Record: 11-1

Out-of-Conference Road Games: One (.5 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams (at time of game): Three (three points)

Games Against Bowl Eligible Teams: Six (12 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams: Three (nine points)

Games Against Top 10 Teams: None

Away Games At Top Conference Venues: None

Games Against FCS Opponent: None

Total Points: 24.5 points

Stanford Cardinal

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterback Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal calls signals against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona.The Cardinal won 17-13. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Conference: PAC 10

Final Record: 11-1

Out-of-Conference Road Games: One (.5 points) 

Games Against Top 25 Teams (at time of game): Two (two points)

Games Against Bowl Eligible Teams: Eight (16 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams: One (three points)

Games Against Top 10 Teams: One (three points)

Away Games At Top Conference Venues: Four (one point)

Games Against FCS Opponent: One (minus-one point)

Total Points: 24.5 points

Virginia Tech Hokies

Geoff Burke/Getty Images

BLACKSBURG, VA - NOVEMBER 04: Cheerleaders from the Virginia Tech Hokies lead the players onto the field prior to the Hokies game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Lane Stadium on November 4, 2010 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Geoff Burke/G

Conference: ACC

Final Record: 11-2

Out-of-Conference Road Games: None

Games Against Top 25 Teams (at time of game): Four (four points)

Games Against Bowl Eligible Teams: Eight (16 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams: Two (six points)

Games Against Top 10 Teams: None

Games At Top Conference Venues: Two (.5 points)

Games Against FCS Opponent: One (minus-one point)

Total Points: 25.5

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Eric Francis/Getty Images

LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 13: Rex Burkhead #22 and Ricky Henry #74 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers celebrate after a touchdown during their game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Memorial Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska Defeated Kansas 2

Conference: Big 12

Final Record: 10-3

Out-of-Conference Road Games: One (.5 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams (at time of game): Four (four points)

Games Against Bowl Eligible Teams: Six (12 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams: Three (nine points)

Games Against Top 10 Teams: One (four points)

Games At Top Conference Venues: Two (.5 points)

Games Against FCS Opponent: One (minus-one point)

Total Points: 29 points

Wisconsin Badgers

David Purdy/Getty Images

IOWA CITY, IA - OCTOBER 23- Running back James White #20 of the Wisconsin Badgers drives the ball down field against the University of Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half of play at Kinnick Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Iowa City, Iowa. Wisconsin won 31-

Conference: Big Ten

Final Record: 11-1

Out-of-Conference Road Games: One (.5 points) 

Games Against Top 25 Teams (at time of game): Three (three points)

Games Against Bowl Eligible Teams: Six (12 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams: Two (six points)

Games Against Top 10 Teams: Two (eight points)

Away Games At Top Conference Venues: Three (.75 points)

Games Against FCS Opponent: One (minus-one point)

Total Points: 29.25 points

Missouri Tigers

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 4: Brad Madison #57 and Will Ebner #32 both of the University of Missouri Tigers celebrate a sack against the University of Illinois Fighting Illini during the State Farm Arch Rivalry game on September 4, 2010 at the Edward Jones Dom

Conference: Big 12

Final Record: 10-2

Out-of-Conference Road Games: None

Games Against Top 25 Teams (at time of game): Two (two points)

Games Against Bowl Eligible Teams: Eight (16 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams: Three (nine points)

Games Against Top 10 Teams: One (four points)

Games At Top Conference Venues: Two (.5 points)

Games Against FCS Opponent: One (minus-one point)

Total Points: 29.5 points

Florida State Seminoles

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

TALLAHASSEE, FL - NOVEMBER 27: Chris Finn #29 of the Florida State Seminoles hold up a gator head to celebrate a win against the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Conference: ACC

Final Record: 9-4

Out-of-Conference Road Games: One (.5 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams (at time of game): Three (three points)

Games Against Bowl Eligible Teams: Ten (20 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams: Two (six points)

Games Against Top 10 Teams: One (four points)

Games At Top Conference Venues: One (.25 points)

Games Against FCS Opponent: One (minus-one point)

Total Points: 29.75 points

Oklahoma State Cowboys

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

LAWRENCE, KS - NOVEMBER 20: Running back Kendall Hunter #24 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys carries the ball during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks on November 20, 2010 at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Conference: Big 12

Final Record: 10-2

Out-of-Conference Road Games: One (.5 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams (at time of game): Three (three points)

Games Against Bowl Eligible Teams: Eight (16 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams: Three (nine points)

Games Against Top 10 Teams: One (four points)

Games At Top Conference Venues: One (.25 points)

Games Against FCS Opponent: None

Total Points: 32.75 points

Oklahoma Sooners

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 23: Head coach Bob Stoops of the Oklahoma Sooners looks on against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbia, Missouri. The Tigers beat the Sooners 36-27. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty

Conference: Big 12

Final Record: 11-2

Out-of-Conference Road Games: One (.5 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams (at time of game): Five (five points)

Games Against Bowl Eligible Teams: Eight (16 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams: Five (15 points)

Games Against Top 10 Teams: None

Games At Top Conference Venues: Three (.75 points)

Games Against FCS Opponent: None

Total Points: 37.25 points

Mississippi State Bulldogs

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

GAINESVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 16: Coach Dan Mullen of the Mississippi State Bulldogs directs play against the Florida Gators October 16, 2010 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Conference: SEC

Final Record: 8-4

Out-of-Conference Road Games: One (.5 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams (at time of game): Five (five points)

Games Against Bowl Eligible Teams: Seven (14 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams: Four (12 points)

Games Against Top 10 Teams: Three (nine points)

Games At Top Conference Venues: Three (.75 points)

Games Against FCS Opponent: One (minus-one point)

Total Points: 40.25 points

Texas A&M Aggies

Conference: Big 12

Final Record: 9-3

Out-of-Conference Road Games: None

Games Against Top 25 Teams (at time of game): Four (four points)

Games Against Bowl Eligible Teams: Eight (16 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams: Five (15 points)

Games Against Top 10 Teams: Two (eight points)

Games At Top Conference Venues: Two (.5 points)

Games Against FCS Opponent: One (minus-one point)

Total Points: 42.5 points

LSU Tigers

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 13: Members of the Louisiana State University Tigers cheerleaders celebrate after a touchdown during the game against the University of Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks at Tiger Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Conference: SEC

Final Record: 10-2

Out-of-Conference Road Games: None

Games Against Top 25 Teams (at time of game): Six (six points)

Games Against Bowl Eligible Teams: Eight (16 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams: Five (15 points)

Games Against Top 10 Teams: Two (six points)

Games At Top Conference Venues: Three (.75 points)

Games Against FCS Opponent: One (minus-one point)

Total Points: 42.75 points

Alabama Crimson Tide

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 26: Julio Jones #8 and Trent Richardson #3 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after Jones' touchdown against the Auburn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Im

Conference: SEC

Final Record: 9-3

Out-of-Conference Road Games: One (.5 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams (at time of game): Seven (seven points)

Games Against Bowl Eligible Teams: Eight (16 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams: Five (10 points)

Games Against Top 10 Teams: Three (12 points)

Games At Top Conference Venues: Two (.5 points)

Games Against FCS Opponent: One (minus-one point) 

Total Points: 45 points

Arkansas Razorbacks

Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images

AUBURN - OCTOBER 16: Arkansas Razorbacks mascot Big Red watches the action on the field during the game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

Conference: SEC

Final Record: 10-2

Out-of-Conference Road Games: None

Games Against Top 25 Teams (at time of game): Five (five points)

Games Against Bowl Eligible Teams: Eight (16 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams: Six (18 points)

Games Against Top 10 Teams: Two (eight points)

Games At Top Conference Venues: Two (.5 points)

Games Against FCS Opponent: One (minus-one point)

Total Points: 46.5 points

Auburn Tigers

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterback Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers rushes upfield against the Georgia Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Conference: SEC

Final Record: 13-0

Out-of-Conference Road Games: None  

Games Against Top 25 Teams (at time of game): Five (five points)

Games Against Bowl Eligible Teams: Ten (20 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams: Six (18 points)

Games Against Top 10 Teams: Two (eight points)

Away Games At Top Conference Venues: One (.25 points)

Games Against FCS Opponent: One (minus-one point)

Total Points: 50.25 points

South Carolina Gamecocks

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 13: South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrier greets his players after winning a game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Gainesville, Florida. The Gamecocks beat the Gators 3

Conference: SEC

Final Record: 9-4

Out-of-Conference Road Games: One (.5 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams (at time of game): Six (six points)

Games Against Bowl Eligible Teams: 11 (22 points)

Games Against Top 25 Teams: Four (12 points)

Games Against Top 10 Teams: Two (eight points)

Games At Top Conference Venues: Two (.5 points)

Games Against FCS Opponent: One (minus-one point)

Total Points: 54 points