College Football: Week 3 Conference Power Rankings

After three weeks, the picture is starting to get clearer about the conference power rankings.  The SEC has been comfortably sitting on the throne for several years, but the Big 12 is gaining on them—at least for the one year it has left. 

There are four criteria for determining the rankings:  teams ranked in the AP Top 25, quality wins, bad losses and overall record.  Combined, these variables give the best analysis for how a conference compares to another conference. 

LSU and Alabama Have the SEC on Top of the Conference Power Rankings

SEC

Top 25 (5): LSU, Alabama, South Carolina, Arkansas and Florida

Good Wins (2): Penn State and Oregon

Bad Losses (2): Boise State and Clemson

Overall record:  27-9

With five teams ranked and LSU’s win over Oregon, the SEC gets the top position in the initial power rankings.  There are some signs that the SEC West is not as deep as originally thought, but LSU and Alabama would be one and two in any other conference.  That alone gives the edge to the SEC. 

The Big 12 South Is the Best Division in the FBS

Big 12

Top 25 (5): Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Texas and Baylor

Good Wins (4): Florida State, TCU, Iowa and Arizona

Bad Losses:  None

Overall Record:  25-2

The Big 12 has looked strong in non-conference play.  Depth beyond the top five is questionable, but the South Division is a beast.  The Sooners' road win over the Seminoles might be a better win than LSU’s against Oregon.  An improving Longhorn team will give the Big 12 a slight chance at finishing the season as the best conference, but for now it will have to settle for No. 2.

Wisconsin and Nebraska Give the Big Ten a Solid 1-2 Punch

Big Ten

Top 25 (4): Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan and Illinois

Good Wins (2):  Arizona State, Washington

Bad Losses (2):  Miami, Army

Overall Record:  26-10

Many will point to Ohio State’s loss at Miami as proof that the Big Ten might be below the ACC, but the Buckeyes are a shell of what they were over the last six years.  Terrelle Pryor, Dan Herron and DeVier Posey combined for 5,000 yards and 47 touchdowns in 2010.  Anyone surprised that OSU is struggling to score is clearly out of touch with reality. 

Nebraska and Wisconsin are both strong, and Michigan and Illinois are much improved.  There’s a pretty significant drop off after that.  OSU will get better after Herron and Posey return, but until then, the Big Ten is third.

A Resurging FSU and a Solid Middle Are Keeping the ACC Ahead of the Pac-12

ACC

Top 25 (4): Florida State, Virginia Tech, Clemson and Georgia Tech

Good Wins (2):  Auburn, Ohio State

Bad Losses (2):  UCF, Richmond

Overall Record:  22-12

The ACC has taken a hit over the last few years with FSU and Miami playing well below their potential.  2011 is shaping up to be different.  The Seminoles proved they are better taking the Sooners deep into the fourth quarter, and the Hurricanes will be really strong if Al Golden can get Jacory Harris to cut down on the interceptions. 

The conference's depth is better this year too.  Virginia Tech, Clemson, Georgia Tech and North Carolina are good, but only Clemson has played a meaningful game.  Until these teams do play quality opponents, the ACC will remain fourth.

Depth After the Top Three a Big Concern in the Pac-12

Pac-12

Top 25: (3) Stanford, Oregon and USC

Good Wins (1):  Missouri

Bad Losses (3):  LSU, Oklahoma State, Hawaii

Overall Record:  22-14

Besides the Big East, no conference has such a significant drop off from the top teams to the middle-of-the-pack teams.  Outside of Oregon, Stanford and USC, the Pac-12 is pretty ordinary.  In addition, LSU’s second-half thrashing over the Ducks indicates there is a considerable gap between the Pac-12 and the conferences ahead of them right now. 

WVU Is No. 1 in the Big East, but the Conference Is Last in the Power Rankings

Big East

Top 25 (2): West Virginia and South Florida

Good Wins:  None

Bad Losses (2):  Florida International, Vanderbilt

Overall Record:  16-7

Unless West Virginia pulls the upset of the year this week against LSU, the Big East has zero chance of leaving the cellar.  At best, the Mountaineers would be third in all the other major conferences.  The Bulls are a decent team that will end the year with at least three losses.  With Syracuse and Pitt apparently sprinting to the ACC, the Big East is probably dead anyway.