While the concept of comparing power conferences to one another is nearly always a hot-button topic, the battle between the Big 12 and the ACC appears to be taking some new spins around the block.
On Friday, CBS Sports’ Will Backus ranked each college football conference from one to nine and gave the Big 12 the edge over the ACC in the process.
The top two conferences should come as no surprise to readers, with the SEC earning the top spot and the Big Ten at No. 2.
Backus acknowledged that the No. 3 spot is where the list turns a bit controversial, as he elected to choose the Big 12 Conference over the ACC.
“The Big 12 may not be stuffed to the gills with national championship contenders, but it will be the most entertaining conference to watch on a week-to-week basis,” Backus said on the Big 12. “That counts for a lot. No. 12 Utah, the only Big 12 team to land in the top-15 of the AP poll, was picked to win the conference in its first year as a member, though it’s far from a slam dunk. Kansas State (No. 18) and Oklahoma State (No. 17) each received double-digit first-place votes in the preseason media poll, while Kansas and Arizona also got some recognition for the top spot. Iowa State and West Virginia are both sleeper teams. Knowing the Big 12, one of the perceived bottom-half teams is bound to sneak up on some folks and wreak havoc this year. Every game day in this conference will bring the chaos. Pure college football bliss. “
Pure college football bliss, America’s Conference, and the hunt for the Playoff are just a few of the names experts have referred to the Big 12 this offseason. With multiple teams capable of winning the race to Arlington in 2024, it’s easy to see why experts are so high on the league.
Despite national outlets’ main criticism that the Big 12 may not have as many National Championship contenders as the SEC and Big Ten, the Big 12 doesn’t need that to compete and earn respect.
The league has branded itself as the most exciting race for Championship Weekend in all of college football, and with five different teams receiving first-place votes to win the league in the Preseason Media Poll, national outlets are wisely adjusting to life in the new Big 12.
