RANKING THE POWER 5 CONFERENCES
1. Southeastern Conference
The bellwether league in college football was 9- 2 last postseason, when all seven teams from the allpowerful West — home to Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss and Auburn — went bowling. The East is more of a mixed bag, but No. 9 Tennessee, No. 18 Georgia and No. 25 Florida have 10- victory potential.
2. Big Ten
The East troika of Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State is tantalizingly good. Will Iowa repeat its shocking success of last season? The West looks so much weaker again.
3. Atlantic Coast Conference
Maybe we’ve been lulled into overreacting here, but Clemson and Florida State sure seem like the most capable twosome in league history. New coach Mark Richt has Miami poised for a return to big- time relevance.
4. Pac- 12
The much- ballyhooed South came up lame last season, though UCLA might be dramatically improved and USC will be a tough out for anybody. The North remains where it’s at, but Stanford must replace a four- year starter at quarterback and Washington and Oregon are hard to figure.
5. Big 12
Baylor has misbehaved its way into real trouble. Oklahoma might be great. TCU, Oklahoma State and even the Bears can’t be overlooked. Will Texas make good on coach Charlie Strong’s promise? Too much we- don’t- know.