College Football Handicapping: Ranking the Major Conferences

At the dawn of the first full day of the college football season, it’s a good time to look at the strength and weaknesses of the major conferences.

Needless to say, all conferences are not created equal. Some are strong, and some have their issues. And then there is the Big East.

Here’s how I rank the six major conferences heading into Saturday’s action: 

No. 1 - SEC

I am not the biggest fan of the SEC, but as much as I would like to I can’t put them anywhere other than first in the rankings.

The SEC has had a virtual stranglehold on the National Championship, and thanks to Alabama and others they have a good look at another one this year.

SEC teams always seem to be faster and more polished defensively than other conferences.

Although they occupy my top spot there are still some real concerns. There is barely a team in the conference that is in good shape at quarterback. Alabama has questions, Florida has concerns, Auburn has changes, and LSU has drama.

The top teams in the conference are deep and talented, but they also seem vulnerable. There is at least a chance that the SEC won’t be the top-ranked conference in the country three months from now.

No. 2 - Pac-12

I really don’t like having the Pac-12 this high, but I can’t avoid it at this point.

I think that both Oregon and Stanford are overrated, but they are both top programs, and they arguably have the best quarterback and best running back in the country between them.

The conference just isn’t about those top two teams, either. USC doesn’t have a postseason to play for, and they have some ridiculous coaching drama thanks to Mack Garza, but they are talented and potentially dangerous.

Utah could be impressive in their first year in the big time if they catch some breaks. Both teams in the state of Arizona have some potential as well. 

This is as deep as this conference has been coming into a season in a long, long time. 

No. 3 - Big Ten

I love the Big Ten, so I wish I could feel a bit more confident about the conference. There are a lot of teams that could be very good, but none that I am certain of.

Wisconsin has talent, but there will be growing pains with the Russell Wilson transition. Once the competition gets fiercer than UNLV I could see problems.

Nebraska is loaded, but I really don’t trust Bo Pelini.

Ohio State is a mess.They're like a soap opera that just keeps getting more ridiculous.

Michigan is on the right track with Brady Hoke, but they could be 25 times better on defense than they were last year and they would still be lousy on that side of the ball.

Michigan State has potential, but they specialize in disappointment.

This conference has a chance to put together a very good year, but there are a whole lot of questions at this point. 

No. 4 - Big 12 

Oklahoma is the best team in the country right now in my eyes. That’s pretty much it for this conference, though.

Texas has a huge rebuilding job ahead of them, and I don’t believe they will get it done in one year with the quarterback situation they have. Oklahoma State is overrated. Beyond that it’s not a very impressive conference. 

The Big 12 is the definition of top heavy.

No. 5 - ACC

I am not on the Florida State bandwagon. Jimbo Fisher is the right guy there, but I don’t believe that they are going to take the huge step forward from a decent team last year to an elite one this year given the tough Florida State Seminoles football schedule and some unproven, though very talented, players.

I think Virginia Tech has a very good look for at least 11 wins this year, but that’s because of their incredibly easy schedule and not because of overwhelming talent.

Beyond those two there is not a whole lot to get excited about.

No. 6 - Big East

The NCAA should put the Big East on football probation. If they can’t find a way to turn themselves into a legitimate conference then they should have to step aside and let the Mountain West take their spot.

This conference is a joke. You could argue that West Virginia or South Florida are decent, but only because they play in this conference. In a real conference either team would be in trouble.

The bottom end of this conference is both crowded and incredibly underwhelming. 

TCU must be licking their lips about the prospect of joining these guys next year. At this rate they could be perennial conference champions.

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