2-MINUTE DRILL
COMPARING THE CONFERENCES
The importance of conference records in bowl games is subject to debate. Fans of a particular team likely have at most a passing interest. But such things are taken quite seriously in league offices, and even the discussion among fans gets more intense in areas where conferences’ geographic footprints overlap and bragging rights — not to mention any perceived edge in recruiting — are at stake. With all that out of the way, here’s a look at which of the Power Five conferences did the best in this year’s 40-bowl lineup, entering the championship game Monday night, one last SEC-ACC matchup.
Atlantic Coast (8-3)
In addition to sending a team to the title game for a second consecutive year, the ACC enjoyed a banner postseason from top to bottom. Members picked up a pair of wins in New Year’s Six games and went 7-3 overall against other power conferences.
Big 12 (4-2)
The Large Dozen-minustwo missed out on the playoff but acquitted itself well in the postseason, with champion Oklahoma putting the bow on top with its convincing Sugar Bowl victory.
Southeastern (6-6)
It was a slow start for the SEC, but members made a late surge with some high-profile triumphs, including LSU’s stifling of Louisville and Heisman winner Lamar Jackson and Florida’s Outback Bowl dominance of Iowa.
Pac-12 (3-3)
Washington’s playoff loss and Colorado’s lackluster Alamo Bowl performance against Oklahoma State put a damper on the conference’s perception. But USC’s thrilling Rose Bowl comeback and Stanford’s Sun Bowl victory sans Christian McCaffrey helped the league get to .500.
Big Ten (3-7)
A couple came close, but for the most part the B1G’s big names were big disappointments in the bowl season. Northwestern and Minnesota were the only members that exceeded expectations.