CBSSports.com Conference Power Rankings (Oct. 16): Pac-12 on the rise
| Conference Power Rankings | |||
| 1 |  SEC (previous: 1) | Top 25 Teams: 7 (both polls) Nonconference record (vs. FBS): 22-8 Nonconference record (Total): 30-8 Cumulative ATS record: 42-47-1 Recently: Just like last week, the league has more than half of their teams in the Top 25. Look at the BCS standings this week, and you'll see four of the top seven teams from the SEC. South Carolina might have lost to LSU, but the league still has four legitimate contenders for the national title in mid-October. Only the Big 12 could make that same claim, and that might be a stretch. SEC Power Rankings | |
| 2 |  Pac-12 (previous: 3) | Top 25 Teams: AP: 4, Coaches 5 Nonconference record (vs. FBS): 24-10 Nonconference record (Total): 17-9 Cumulative ATS record: 34-39-11 Recently: Even without Sean Mannion, Oregon State was able to escape a tough game at BYU and prove that the Beaver Juice works for anyone on the roster. Oregon State, Oregon and a resurgent USC give the Pac-12 some punch at the top while Stanford, Arizona State, and UCLA all appear on their way to bowl eligibility in the near future. Pac-12 Power Rankings | |
| 3 |  Big 12 (previous: 2) | Top 25 Teams: AP: 4, Coaches: 5 Nonconference record (vs. FBS): 17-3 Nonconference record (Total): 26-3 Cumulative ATS record: 30-25-21 Recently: The Texas teams are an enigma. I am not positive that you could rank Texas, Texas Tech and TCU in a correct order at this point in the season. On weeks when they are all hitting, the Big 12 is arguably the best conference in the land. On down weeks -- like when Texas drops from the Top 25 and Casey Pachall leaves the program -- they take a backseat to the Pac-12. Big 12 Power Rankings | |
| T-4 |  Big East (previous: 4) | Top 25 Teams: 3 (both polls) Nonconference record (vs. FBS): 13-9 Nonconference record (Total): 21-10 Cumulative ATS record: 21-25-1 Recently: Of all 11 FBS conferences, only the Big East and the SEC still have three undefeated teams. Louisville, Rutgers, and Cincinnati are driving the league's recent buzz with their combined 17-0 record, all at least one game into the conference schedule. The real fun will begin next week, when Cincinnati and Louisville play for the Keg of Nails. Unfortunately, we have to wait until December to see Cardinals-Scarlet Knights. Big East Power Rankings | |
| T-4 |  Big Ten (previous: 5) | Top 25 Teams: AP: 2, Coaches: 0 Nonconference record (vs. FBS): 26-13 Nonconference record (Total): 34-13 Cumulative ATS record:37-40 Recently: I've moved the Big Ten back into a tie with the Big East because I hold them on the same level this week for different reasons. While the Big East is holding strong with its undefeated three in the rankings, the Big Ten has a much stronger representation of teams in the 25-35 range. With conference play heating up, I'll take the teams with a few scars already over an unbeaten that's arguably less tested. Big Ten Power Rankings | |
| 6 |  ACC (previous: 6) | Top 25 Teams: 2 (both polls) Nonconference record (vs. FBS): 13-14 Nonconference record (Total): 26-14 Cumulative ATS record:34-42-2 Recently: Behind Florida State and Clemson -- each with a conference loss already -- there is a large of pack of ACC teams with no clear frontrunner. Virginia Tech, NC State, North Carolina, Maryland, Miami and even Duke have experienced flashes of greatness and stretches of disappointment during inconsistent starts. Until one of those teams emerges as the leader with impressive play on a regular basis, the ACC will hang on the edge of the Power 6. ACC Power Rankings | |
| 7 |  MAC (previous: T-9) | Top 25 Teams: 1 (both polls) Nonconference record (vs. FBS): 12-23 Nonconference record (Total): 22-24 Cumulative ATS Record: 43-43 Recently: They get the boost not just for Ohio's continued unbeaten streak but the recent push from Northern Illinois and Toledo. The MAC now has three bowl-eligible teams and a very enticing conference title race to follow during the weeknight MACtion down the stretch. | |
| 8 |  Mountain West (previous: 8) | Top 25 Teams: 1 (both polls) Nonconference record (vs. FBS): 11-20 Nonconference record (Total): 17-23 Cumulative ATS Record: 35-31 Recently: Fresno State might be less in the picture after its loss to the Broncos. But the way that Nevada and Boise State have been playing, the Mountain West has a product to be proud of near the top of the league. Throw in an improved New Mexico team, and the Mountain West is still looking stronger now than at the beginning of the season. | |
| 9 |  WAC (previous: 7) | Top 25 Teams: 0 Nonconference record (vs. FBS): 12-15 Nonconference record (Total): 19-16 Cumulative ATS Record: 27-15 Recently: Louisiana Tech could not catch a break early in the game against Texas A&M but still found a way to give itself a chance in a wild 59-57 loss. The WAC is still having a banner year for a league in turmoil; the league just went 0-2 in nonconference play with their two undefeated teams. | |
| 10 |  Sun Belt (previous: T-9) | Top 25 Teams: 0 Nonconference record (vs. FBS): 10-18 Nonconference record (Total): 16-19 Cumulative ATS record: 33-22 Recently: You know who is rooting really hard for certain Sun Belt teams? Bowl organizers. Concerns that there might not be enough bowl-eligible teams could be alleviated if the top half of the Sun Belt -- five teams with four-plus wins already -- keeps beating up on the bottom half of the league down the stretch of conference play. | |
| 11 |  C-USA (previous: 11) | Top 25 Teams: 0 Nonconference record (vs. FBS): 7-33 Nonconference record (Total): 12-34 Cumulative ATS Record: 34-30-2 Recently: In nonconference play, the league at least got a win over the WAC with Rice taking down the previously undefeated Texas San-Antonio Roadrunners. It was almost enough conference power rankings momentum to move them up out of the basement, but then I struggled to find a single team in the top 50 of several computer ratings. With the No. 129 toughest D-I schedule (FBS and FCS), Tulsa's 6-1 record is much less impressive. | |
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