Is Kansas State better than Alabama…..The perception by the subjective voters who’s decisions are not weighted based upon criteria, but opinion and some vested interest. Using the same criterion as in the previous posts with the SEC and Big 10, it can be determined that the Big 12 along with the Big 10 are slightly or significantly statistically better than the SEC. Even though the current perception is that the SEC is “the best football conference in the FBS”. The reality is by examining the same statistical categorical variable between the 3 FBS/BCS conference, it can be determined that both the Big 10 and Big 12 are the better FBS/BCS conferences within the integrity of the non-conference schedule, taking a significant risk of playing more non-conference games on the road and a decreased rate of scheduling FCS programs.
Since 2006, The Big 12 has NOT significantly increased their FCS scheduling rate, like the SEC . In 2006, the Big 12 scheduled 9 FCS opponents and the same number of FCS opponents in 2012. The The Big 12 has scheduled 56 FCS programs, that’s 15 less than SEC and 6 less than the Big 10. Those 56 FCS games account for 19.5% of the Big 12’s non conference games. Since, 2006 the Big 10 scheduled 302 non conference games, slightly less than the SEC and Big 10. This is due the fact that both Colorado and Nebraska left the Big 12 after the 2010 season, then Texas A&M and Missouri left after the 2011 for other FBS conferences. The addition of TCU was not taken into account for since this is TCU’s 1st season in the Big 12 and the season is not complete. Comparing the non-conference win loss percentage rates between the 3 FBS conferences, the Big 12 possesses a significant higher rate than the SEC. The Big 12 win-loss rate for non conference games home games since 2006 is (193-29) at 86.9%. That review of the non conference schedules includes scheduling less non conference home game and more road games than the SEC. The Big 12 scheduled 229 Home games with 73 away games with a 75.5% home field advantage rate.. The exact same rate as the Big 10 and significantly less than the SEC which possesses an 81.8% home field non conference scheduling advantge. The Big 12 scheduled 160 Non-BCS programs since 2006, with 122 home games and 38 away games. Those 38 non conference games scheduled vs. Non-BCS programs is significantly 100% more than the SEC whom only scheduled 19 since 2006. The Big 12’s scheduling practices with BCS programs is significantly more fair and even in a home and away scheduling practice but not in total games scheduled with other BCS programs. The Big 12 scheduled 76 BCS programs but 41 of them Home and 36 away. Similar to the Big 10 but less than the SEC.
Let’s review and compare the Big 12 like I did with the Big 10 and SEC. Colorado, Nebraska, Texas A&M and Missouri will be included in this review since all three were historically part of the Big 12 before all of the conference jumping.
- Baylor(3-4, 2012). 19H/7A at a rate of 73.1% with an overall non conference record of (18-8) and a non conference home record of (14-5). Of the non-conference games schedule versus BCS programs since 2006 are: Washington State, Wake Forest, TCU and Connecticut all H/A.
- Colorado(1-7, PAC12). 15H/5A at a rate of 75.0%. with an overall non conference record of (9-11) and a non conference home record of (9-6). Of the non-conference games schedule versus BCS programs since 2006 are: Florida State 2H, California A along with Arizona State, Georgia and West Virginia all H and A.
- Iowa State(5-3). 18H/8A at a rate of 69.2% with an overall non conference record of (17-9) and a non conference home record of 14-4). Of the non-conference games schedule versus BCS programs since 2006 are: Connecticut A and the traditional yearly rivalry with Iowa 3H/4A. Iowa State has scheduled more Non-BCS programs home and away.
- Kansas(1-7). 20H/6A at a rate of 76.9% with an overall non conference record of (19-7) and a non conference home record of (18-2). Of the non-conference games schedule versus BCS programs since 2006 are: Georgia Tech H and A along with Duke A. Kansas like Iowa State also scheduled more non conference games vs. Non-BCS programs than BCS programs.
- Kansas State(8-0). 19H/7A at a rate of 73.1 with an overall non conference record of (20-6) and a non conference home record of (18-1). Of the non-conference games schedule versus BCS programs since 2006 are: Auburn A along with Louisville, UCLA and Miami(Fla.) all H and A.
- Missouri(4-4, SEC). 18H/5A at a rate of 78.2% with an overall non conference record of (22-1) and a non conference home record of (18-0). Of the non-conference games schedule versus BCS programs since 2006 are: Mississippi H/A, Illinois 1H/2A and Arizona State A.
- Nebraska(6-2, Big 10). 17H/4A at a rate of 80.9% with an overall non conference record of (17-4) and non conference home record of (15-2). Of the non-conference games schedule versus BCS programs since 2006 are: Washington A, Wake Forest A and both USC and Virginia Tech H and A. Nebraska did schedule 12 Non-BCS programs all at Home.
- Oklahoma(5-2). 19H/7A at a rate of 73.1% with an overall non conference record of (22-4) and a non conference home record of (17-2). Of the non-conference games schedule versus BCS programs since 2006 are: Oregon A, Notre Dame H along with Washington, Cincinnati, Miami(Fla.) and Florida State all H and A.
- Oklahoma State(5-2). 20H/6A at a rate of 76.9% with an overall non conference record of (21-5) and a non conference home record of (19-1). Of the non-conference games schedule versus BCS programs since 2006 are: Georgia, Washington State and Arizona all H and A. Oklahoma State did schedule more Non-BCS programs with 15 games.
- Texas(6-2). 20H/6A at a rate of 76.9% with an overall non conference record of (24-2) and a non conference home record of (18-2). Of the non-conference games schedule versus BCS programs since 2006 are: UCLA H/A, Ohio State and Arkansas H and Mississippi A. Texas did schedule the most Non-BCS programs with 19 15H/4A however Texas only scheduled 1 FCS program since 2006.
- Texas A&M(6-2, SEC). 20H/3A at a rate of 86.9% with an overall non conference record of (17-6) and non conference home record of (16-4). Of the non-conference games schedule versus BCS programs since 2006 are: Arkansas 2H/1A and Miami(Fla) H/A. Texas A&M did schedule 15 Non-BCS programs with 14H/1A.
- Texas Tech(6-2). 17h/9A at a rate of 65.3% with an overall non conference record of (24-2) and a non conference home record of (17-0). The interesting fact about Texas Tech is that since 2006, they have never scheduled a BCS program during the review of this data. The last BCS program Texas Tech scheduled were Mississippi and North Carolina State both A in 2003. Texas Tech does possess the highest rate of Non-BCS games scheduled within the Big 12 at 18 but 9H/9A.
What this data reveals is that the evidence does support that the Big 12 is slightly better than the SEC. The Big 12’s non conference home record is comparable and slightly better than the SEC’s. The Big 12 possesses a non-conference home record of 86.9% vs. the SEC at 86.1% since 2006. The Big 12 significantly schedules less FCS opponents, schedules a fair and credible BCS non conference schedule not only H/A but travels to both coasts and all 5 other FBS/BCS conferences along with scheduling more Non-BCS programs away than the SEC. The SEC has never scheduled the Big 10. The facts are, both the Big 10 and Big 12 are slightly better than the SEC. Like the Big 10, the Big 12 does reciprocate more in their non conference scheduling practices scheduling a H and A series with BCS programs. The Big 12 currently does not possess any program with a non conference scheduling rate higher than 76.9% where as 75% of the SEC possesses a rate greater than 76.9%.
Many sports analysts from major television networks try to discredit specific conferences and programs because they fail to investigate the vital components of every FBS programs true credibility and constantly discuss the “body of work”. Yes, wins and losses do indicate the teams credibility for that specific season. However, with the current system in use to determine the champion in college football, specific FBS programs and conferences have significantly figured out how to manipulate the computerized system to skew the statistical numerical data in their favor. With the evidence supporting that 2 FBS conferences are slightly better than the SEC, then ask yourself this:
If the SEC claims to be the best FBS conference in college football, what fears does the SEC possess about scheduling more non conference games away at FBS conference sites and NOT in neutral sites? What they fear is losing that false sense of perception of being the best and possibly losing that significant opportunity to secure the most bowl berths and the largest bowl financial payouts. The question I have asked many SEC writers and major television sports analysts is, why didn’t Alabama play Michigan in Ann Arbor? Is playing in front of 110K+ fans not good enough or did they fear losing the first game of the season on the road at Michigan which would ultimately and significantly decreasing their chances of playing for the national title. Thus discrediting their false sense of credibility and reign in the FBS. Even at the professional level of sports does not possess 100% control of their schedule. Should the Miami Heat say” no we cant play the Lakers in LA, they must come here or we can play in Orlando”. Should the NY Giants tell the NFL, “wait we play 16 games we get 13 of them at home. We are the defending champions everyone else accept our divisional opponents must travel to us”. Yes the professional levels of sports and college sports is big business and about money. The professional leagues play a 50/50 schedule and still makes money. What makes the SEC special, they make more money and believe they are entitled to scheduling privileges over any other FBS program. The facts supports that the SEC is hedonistically driven and fear losing that presitigious reputation and money.
Those are the fact……