Sagarin rankings has SEC with best, worst divisions within Power-5 conferences
Jeff Sagarin’s college football rankings have been used extensively as an accurate and efficient barometer for determining the strength of any conference (or division).
Many point to head-to-head non-conference matchups when attempting to ascertain the best conference. However, we can’t always rely on that bit of empirical evidence. In regards to Sagarin, an extensive analytic formula is used — utilizing a myriad of permutations.
On Sunday, the latest installment was released. Sagarin ranked the all of the divisions in college football. Here’s a look at the top nine (all hailing from Power-5 conferences):
- SEC West
- Pac-12 North
- Pac-12 South
- Big 12
- ACC Atlantic
- Big Ten East
- ACC Coastal
- Big Ten West
- SEC East
Based 0n Sagarin’s three group ratings (Central mean, simple average, and win 50-percent), the SEC West this season is the No. 1 division in all of college football by a historic margin.
On the other side of the proverbial coin, the SEC East is the worst division of all the Power-Five divisions.
Alabama’s dominance this year — coupled with strong seasons from Auburn, Texas A&M, LSU, and Arkansas — are surely contributing to the strong standing.
The SEC East has been inconsistent with its play. Outside of Florida and Tennessee, the rest of the division (Kentucky, South Carolina, Georgia, Vanderbilt) has struggled.
