College Football 2012: Power Ranking Every Conference

The battle for conference supremacy in college football begins and ends with the league that has claimed six consecutive national titles—the SEC. 

Conference expansion has shifted some of the momentum to various leagues (Big 12, SEC), while some high-profile coaching changes (Pac-12, Big Ten) have helped elevate others. 

The Big East lost its closest thing to a powerhouse—West Virginia—to the Big 12 and saw TCU ditch them at the last second, also in favor of the Big 12. 

The Mountaineers and Horned Frogs are more than adequate replacements for SEC-bound programs Missouri and Texas A&M. 

Nabbing Urban Meyer was a coup for Ohio State and the Big Ten, but the influx of coaches—like Mike Leach at Washington State and Rich Rodriguez at Arizona—should bolster the Pac-12. 

Michigan and USC have eyes on returning to the top of their respective leagues, and having both programs return to prominence is key for both of their conferences. 

The ACC largely remains unchanged, with Virginia Tech being its only consistent winner, and the league desperately hoping for a loaded Florida State squad to reemerge on the national scene. 

Although Clemson’s embarrassing Orange Bowl performance hurt the struggling image of the league, the Tigers are in position to build off their first conference title in two decades.

Meanwhile, the SEC will try to extend its dominance on the gridiron and claim a seventh straight national championship. 

Although LSU and Alabama each lose a ton of talent from last season, both teams should have enough firepower to remain in the thick of the chase for the national championship. 

Follow @skirp1

If you like what you see, click here for more from Bleacher Report Productions.