BCS Rankings : Which Conferences Are the Best and Least Well Represented

On Sunday night the first BCS rankings of 2011 were released, and needless to say, they wasn't much of a surprise.

However, it's always going to cause a debate regardless, so which brings us to the battle of the conferences.

All together at the FBS level in college football there are 11 conferences, six of which are BCS qualifiers.

In the first BCS rankings this season, eight of the conferences are represented.

That said, here is a list of which ones are best/worst represented amongst those who are represented.

Click the link for a view of the BCS Week 1 Winners and Losers.

Conference USA: (1), Houston Cougars

It's no surprise the Conference USA has only one team represented, but at least that team (the Houston Cougars) is undefeated.

With that in mind, the Cougars haven't played, and won't play any ranked teams this season until their bowl game.

But, as long as Houston can finish 14-0 there's a good chance they'll finish ranked in the Top 12.

Now they're not going to get a BCS bowl bid, but it will give them more respect heading into the 2012 season.

However, if they lose, the Conference USA will no longer be represented in the BCS Top 25.

Big East: (1), West Virginia

Unfortunately for the Big East, a BCS conference, only the West Virginia Mountaineers represent.

By season's end the Big East could possibly get two or three schools to represent, but that's the best-case scenario.

As for now, the Mountaineers must win out if they want to keep their conference respected, because other than LSU, West Virginia won't see a ranked team until bowl season.

The future may be uncertain, but 2011 could make 2012 more appealing for future schools if the Big East reps bowl season well.

Mountain West: (1), Boise State

The Boise State Broncos are one year too late in joining the Mountain West.

Had the Broncos been in the conference last year, it would have been arguably better than the Big Ten, Pac-10, Big East, and Big 12, as TCU and Utah were solid.

Add Boise State to that mix in 2010 and the Mountain West would have been unreal.

But, tis not the case for 2011 as TCU has underachieved, Utah is gone, and San Diego State and Air Force aren't looking as strong as previously expected.

However, the Broncos still have BCS hopes and may have an outside shot at the national title if they get some help.

And sure it's Boise State, but as opposed to the Big East (since that makes no sense), what about the Big 12?

Sure it's not being discussed, but it's good for both parties and makes more geographical sense.

Pac-12: (3), Stanford, Oregon, Washington

Had it not been for Stanford and Oregon, the Pac-12 would be very weak.

It also doesn't help that the USC Trojans are still ineligible, so until they come back, the conference still has to rely on less teams.

As for the Cardinal and Ducks, they're the only two who have any shot at the BCS, because the Washington Huskies, although a formidable opponent, won't beat both of them.

And after the way Oregon was able to move the ball on Arizona State without RB LaMichael James, it appears that much like with the SEC West with Alabama and LSU to determine the SEC champ, the Pac-12 will come down to the Ducks and Cardinal of the Pac-12 North.

Obviously representing the BCS well also matters, but even if Stanford goes undefeated, it's unlikely they get to No. 2 in the rankings without some help.

ACC: (3), Clemson, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech

Who would have though that by the time the first BCS rankings were released that Clemson, Virginia Tech, and Georgia Tech would be the three ACC reps.

In the preseason, Florida State appeared to be a lock and only the Hokies looked like the other contending school.

Well, for what the Yellow Jackets and Tigers have done thus far, that is what makes college football great.

The only question is whether Clemson can keep it rolling, because with two ranked teams left after defeating three, as well as the conference title game, they may have an outside shot at the national title with some help.

The strength of schedule is there, but just how much of a Cinderella are the Tigers?

So far so great, and let's see if they can keep it going.

Big XII: (5), Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Texas A&M, Texas

The winner of the Oklahoma State-Texas A&M game was the first step as to who would be the No. 2 Big-12 contender along with Oklahoma.

Only problem however, is that no one told anything to the No. 11 Kansas State Wildcats who are also 6-0.

And with four ranked opponents left on the schedule, all of which are in the conference, don't sleep on Kansas State.

Now add Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, both of whom have beat Texas and you have to anticipate the Sooners are going to be the Aggies, and the Big 12 is a very solid conference.

It's unfortunate that Texas A&M is leaving, but the addition of TCU helps, and although Missouri has yet to make a decision, maybe the Big 12 goes after Boise State, because that makes much more sense than the Big East for the Broncos.

As for 2011 though, any of the Big 12's top three teams have a shot at the national title, and when the BCS is set for January of 2012, there will be two schools representing the conference.

SEC: (5), LSU, Alabama, Arkansas, South Carolina, Auburn

Although the SEC is still considered the nation's best conference, and rightfully so, they don't have the most schools repped in the first BCS rankings.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the SEC however, is that they have three teams ranked in the Top 10; LSU, Alabama, and Arkansas.

Also, all three are in the SEC West, and until the conference gets knocked off the national title spot, this will it will still be the standard of college football.

Now of course the LSU-Alabama game is going to arguably be considered the "true" national title, as both are No. 1 and No. 2, but don't sleep on Arkansas as they are very capable of upsetting the Bayou Bengals in the regular season finale.

All that being said, even though the SEC is the best, the gap has closed with the Big-12 and Big Ten improving.

Big Ten: (6), Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan St., Michigan, Penn St., Illinois

The conference with the most teams ranked in the BCS Top 25-The Big Ten.

Wisconsin is the only team left with a shot at perfection, but after ruining Michigan's on Saturday, Michigan State looks to do the same for the Badgers.

And the more interesting aspect about that game, is that we could see a Sparty-Wisky rematch in the Big Ten's inaugural conference championship game.

The wild-card here are the Nebraska Cornhuskers, because despite getting demolished by Wisconsin in their first ever Big Ten game, the 'Huskers may get that rematch with the Badgers if they can win the Legends Division.

As for Michigan, Illinois, and Penn State, they're still a few steps back of the Spartans, Badgers, and Cornhuskers, but after this upcoming weekend, we'll know more as to who is for real in the Big Ten.

Because if Wisconsin goes down to Michigan State, the Big Ten opens up quite a bit.

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