The first batch of games is over, so it's time for the 10th edition of my "conference comparison", which has evolved since 2008 from looking at BCS teams to P5 teams. Be sure to check out the "method used" after the rankings. As always, corrections and suggestions for improvement are welcome. Now, on to the rankings, which include all games played so far, week 1 and "week zero":
While much debate centered on whether the B1G or SEC had the best weekend, my rankings show the PAC pipping the SEC for #1. The PAC didn't have any glamour wins, and had one bad loss, but they did win steadily both weekends, highlighted by UCLA's epic comeback over Texas A/M. The SEC did have the most win-credits, headlined by Alabama's win over #3 FSU, but also suffered two losses. The B1G was the only conference to notch two "quality wins", thanks to Michigan and Maryland beating ranked opponents. Last year's champ, the ACC, got off to a slow start, though VT did notch a big win over WVU, while the Big 12 starts where they finished last year, in last, with Baylor suffering the ignominy of an FCS loss.
Rankings for September 5, 2017
Code:
CONFERENCE WINS LOSSES SEASON RECORD
1) PAC UCLA,SC,CA,WS,CO OST# 5-1.5 (.769)
2) SEC AL@,GA,SC,LS,TN FL,AM 6-2 (.750)
3) B1G MD*,MI*,IW PD,RT 4-2 (.667)
4) ACC VT*, UL NC, FSU, GT, NCST 2.5 - 4 (.384)
5) Big 12 OKS TX,BY&,WV 1-4 (.200)
@ 2 win credit for "super win" (see Method)
* 1.5 win credit for "quality win"
# 1.5 loss credit for "bad loss"
& 2 loss credit for "awful loss"
METHOD
1) Only OOC games count.
2) Notre Dame is always regarded as a P5 opponent, including for ACC teams. BYU and Army are regarded as G5 opponents.
3) All references to "rankings" are to at the time the game was played.
4) How losses are assessed:
a) A conference is docked 1 loss for losing to any P5 opponent.
b) A conference is docked 1 loss for losing to any FCS or G5 opponent that is ranked in the Coaches or AP poll, including "others receiving votes".
c) A conference is docked 1.5 losses for losing to any unranked G5 opponent. This is a penalty for a "bad loss".
d) A conference is docked 2 losses for losing to any unranked FCS opponent, a penalty for an "awful loss".
5) How wins are earned:
a) A conference is credited with 1 win for any win against any unranked P5 opponent.
b) A conference gets credit for 1 win against an FCS or G5 opponent if the FCS or G5 opponent is ranked in the "others receiving votes" of the AP or Coaches polls.
c) A conference earns 1.5 wins for beating any team ranked between 11-25 in the AP or Coaches top 25. This is a bonus for a "quality win".
d) A conference earns 2 wins if the win is against any team ranked in the top 10 in either poll. This is a bonus for a "super" win.
6) Wins against unranked FCS or G5 earn no credit.
7) For bowl season, the following modifications apply:
- Rankings of bowl game opponents are based on CFP rankings only, save for rules that refer to "others receiving votes" above. For bowl games pitting P5 vs G5, all win and loss credit is earned according to rules 4b-c and 5c-d and 6 above, with CFP substituted for AP/Coaches. So for example, beating a CFP unranked G5 team still earns no credit for the P5 conference, but losing to an unranked G5 in a bowl game does mean it suffers the "bad" loss penalty. But, if the G5 bowl opponent is ranked in the "others receiving votes" of either the AP or Coaches poll, the P5 conference would get credit for 1 win (if they win the bowl game) or just 1 loss (if they lose the bowl game).
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P5 Conference Comparison (Week 1, 9.5.17) ... PAC is #1 !!!
