Pre-Season Conference Rankings

With pre-season camps opening this week, it seems fitting for the Right Wing to join the fray. College Football is upon us once again, and I have to say that it is the most wonderful time of the year.

Today’s installment will deal with a simple question:
Of the 6 BCS Conferences, which one is the best?

The deeper meaning of the question will soon be expounded. However, the Right Wing is approaching this topic in a different manner from previous years. We’re going to list the major conference, starting with the weakest and going to the strongest, and we’re going to break down why the stars are lining up the way they are.

Let’s begin…

6. Big East
Why?: The Big East once held some power, but then Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College fled to the friendlier confines of the ACC (and you’ll see in a moment why that hasn’t panned out). Now the conference is dominated by West Virginia and Louisville, but newcomer South Florida is poised to bring the noise this season. Overall, though, the Big East just doesn’t have the star-power that the other members of the “Big 6” have.
What to Watch For: South Florida. The Bulls made huge strides last season, and quarterback Matt Groethe is on the brink of a break out season. We’ve already picked this team to win the conference, and we’re sticking with it.
Best Game(s): South Florida at West Virginia on Dec. 6

5. ACC
Why?: On the day that it was publicly announced that Miami, Boston College, and Virginia Tech were joining the ACC, sports writer’s nationwide began proclaiming the start of a conference dynasty. They were wrong. This conference has been down since the merger. It’s sad to say this, but you know your conference is struggling when Wake Forest is your champion over Georgia Tech. I don’t really foresee a rise to power by the ACC this season.
What to Watch For: Clemson. Perennial choke artist Clemson has an agreeable schedule and a great team, but they’re still Clemson. I know that we’ve already got them winning the ACC, but don’t look for a BCS victory from the Tigers this season.
Best Game(s): we’re not sure if there will be a best game

4. Big Ten
Why?: Once a powerhouse, the Big Ten has fallen from grace recently. Michigan is not what they once were, nor is Penn State or Wisconsin. Ohio State is this conference’s saving grace, and that’s only because weak non-conference play seems to get the Buckeye’s to the title game every year. In the end, the Big Ten (actually 11 teams) is still shy of superpower status.
What to Watch For: Wisconsin. I really think this team can make a run this year, as evidenced by the fact that we have them in the Rose Bowl against USC.
Best Game(s): Michigan vs. Ohio State, Penn State vs. Wisconsin.

3. Pac-10
Why?: The PAC-10 gets so much love from the national media that most of them would be shocked that we have the west-coasters at #3 and not #1. Seriously, listen to the media, and you’d think that the PAC-10 can do no wrong. The truth is, the PAC-10 will be better this year than in previous season because Arizona State will actually put something together in conference this year. Look for USC to win the conference once again, but ASU runs close enough to lock up their own BCS berth.
What to Watch For: September 20. On that day, Arizona State will play host to the #1 team in the land, the University of Georgia. That game, as much as the game the week before (USC vs. Ohio State) will have huge championship ramifications.
Best Game(s): USC vs UCLA, ASU vs. UGA(nc), USC vs. Ohio State(nc)

2. Big XII
Why?: Only one other conference is as stacked as the Big XII, and that’s the conference we haven’t talked about yet. The Big XII South will be one of the best divisions in college football this season, with an attrition rate nearly as high as the SEC. Texas and Oklahoma will once again battle for supremacy, but Texas Tech will keep it interesting, and Texas A&M can never be counted out.
What to Watch For: Texas Tech. The Red Raiders will be a team on the rise this year. Their offense is one of the best in the nation, but they have big tests against Oklahoma and Texas.
Best Game(s): Texas vs. Oklahoma, Texas vs. Texas Tech, Kansas vs. Missouri

1. SEC
Why?: Come on, do you really have to ask? The SEC is stacked. No other conference has as many teams ranked as the SEC, no other conference produces as many bowl eligible teams as the SEC, and no other conference has won as many bowls games as the SEC. Last season’s final AP poll was telling: SEC team’s claimed the top two spots. Of the 119 Div I schools, the SEC produced the two best, and they’ve already claimed top billing in this year’s preseason coach’s poll.
What to Watch For: The SEC East. Talk about dominance. The SEC is stacked, with not a single soft team in the bracket. That’s right, even good old Vanderbilt can put a scare into other teams. The race in the East should prove very fun indeed.
Best Game(s): All of them. UGA vs. Florida, Auburn vs. Alabama, UGA vs. Tennessee