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Conference Supremacy Reigns Supreme in July

By Thomas Scurlock

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 17: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes motions to his team against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 17: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes motions to his team against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /
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Debate over which conference is stronger begins.

Nothing says July like a fiery conference superiority debate.  The SEC and ACC Media Days are fanning the flames of a long-standing argument that typifies the folly of college football.

Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher told reporters that the ACC is the “Premier conference in college football,” referencing winning two out the last four championships as one piece of evidence.

I agree with him.  The ACC Atlantic is the best division in college football right now followed by the Big Ten East and the SEC West.

Considering only one team gets crowned champion, does it really matter what conference or division is best?

Opinions vary.  I believe strength of a conference is relevant only because it is a baked-in metric used by the College Football Playoff Committee when determining which four teams get selected to the playoff.

Of course, conference strength is variable and often arbitrary, but it is mostly determined by schedule strength.  Last year is a good example.

The Big 10 was boosted by wins over Oklahoma, LSU, Oregon and Colorado that looking back after the season was finished probably were not that impressive outside of the Buckeyes win over the Sooners.

Wisconsin, Michigan, Nebraska and Ohio State rightfully remained in the Top 15 as conference wins were given greater weight.  Penn State, despite loses to Pitt and Michigan, gained momentum after beating the Buckeyes and continued to rise in the polls.

Given the back-to-back flops in the playoff semifinals by the Big Ten, I am wondering how that will impact the Committee’s perception of the conference this year?  I think it could.

There is a more important reason, albeit lighthearted, to continue having the debate over which conference is the strongest.

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The SEC built its modern reputation by repeating over and over that the grind of going through their tough schedule was extensively more difficult than any other conference.  Winning bowl games and BCS championships were evidence of that superiority.

Over the last three years, the SEC is 22-14 in bowl and playoff games and 19-19 in non-conference games against teams with a pulse.  And only one team has won a national championship over the last four seasons.

Given its dominance between 2006-2012, I would say the SEC is trending downward, and about that grind. Well the stroll through the conference is now rather leisurely outside of playing Alabama.  At least South Alabama, Memphis, Toledo and The Citadel did not find it too difficult.

Next: Chris Holtmann Must Recruit These States Hard

If keeping the debate alive means being able to drive a dagger deeper into the heart of the SEC faithful, I am for it.

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