Conference Rankings

[mross34]

Thought the forum could use a thread in which conferences on the rise and on the decline were discussed.

This was inspired by a very good article sent to me today by redbenn:

The Great Conference Debate - Stewart Mandel - SI.com

Definitely worth a read.

My prediction in how the conferences will look after this year:

1) SEC
2) Big 12
3) Big 10
4) Pac 10
5) Big East
6) ACC

[TheIronColonel]

While I think the quality of Mandel's writing is highly variable, this is a really well put together article. It eschews hyperbole and chest thumping in exchange for reasonable analysis and is definitely worth a read.

[Bucky Katt]

1. SEC
2. SEC
3. SEC
4. SEC
5. Notre Dame
6. Big XII
7. Pac 10
8. Big East
9. C-USA
10. MAC
11. Sunbelt
12. Div 1-AA
13. Div-II
14. Div-III
15. NAIA
16. Big Ten
17. ACC

[Gatorubet]

Originally Posted by Bucky Katt

1. SEC
2. SEC
3. SEC
4. SEC
5. Notre Dame
6. Big XII
7. Pac 10
8. Big East
9. C-USA
10. MAC
11. Sunbelt
12. Div 1-AA
13. Div-II
14. Div-III
15. NAIA
16. Big Ten
17. ACC

Ridiculous. We only have two divisions.

[Dryden]

Only issue I really take with Mandel's article is Joe Tiller parroting the tired old 'southern speed' myth. The Big Ten has been down over the recent seasons, but I don't think it has been due to a lack of talented material, but rather the coaching transitions within so many programs all occurring within a short time of one another. Since 2004, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan St, Minnesota, Northwestern, and Wisconsin have introduced new head coaches -- nearly half of these programs now being steered by a coach with no previous head coaching experience. That's seven schools changing coaches just since '04, with Tiller on the clock, and Ferentz & Paterno both on the proverbial hot seat.

It is entirely conceivable that in 2009, Tressel will be the dean of Big Ten head coaches, when as recently as just six years ago he was above only Gerry DiNardo (Indiana, 2002) and John L Smith (Michigan St, 2003).

Consider that the Big Ten conference media days just ten years ago were like the SEC's now - more than half the coaches in the league would have CFB HoF credentials, while Turner and Cameron have been highly regarded NFL assistants in their careers.

1998 Conference Coaching Roster (total # of head coaches since '98):

Illinois (2) - Ron Turner
Indiana (4) - Cam Cameron
Iowa (2) - Hayden Fry
Michigan (2) - Lloyd Carr
Michigan St (4) - Nick Saban
Minnesota (2) - Glen Mason
Northwestern (3) - Gary Barnett
Ohio State (2) - John Cooper
Penn St (1) - Joe Paterno
Purdue (1) - Joe Tiller
Wisconsin (2) - Barry Alverez

It will also be interesting to watch the changes in fortunes between the Big Ten and SEC if/when 'the Big Two' go and cherry pick the SEC's last two national championship winning head coaches. There is no doubt in my mind that Les Miles would have taken the Michigan job if not for the poor timing last year, while Urban Meyer is an Ohioan and former OSU assistant, has recruiting ties from his BGSU days, and was long noted to have an out in his Utah contract for OSU before he even went to Florida. It is not out of the realm of possibility to have both Miles and Meyer in the Big Ten in the next ten years, plus a guy like Schiano at Penn State.

[Gatorubet]

Originally Posted by Dryden

Only issue I really take with Mandel's article is Joe Tiller parroting the tired old 'southern speed' myth. The Big Ten has been down over the recent seasons, but I don't think it has been due to a lack of talented material, but rather the coaching transitions within so many programs all occurring within a short time of one another. Since 2004, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan St, Minnesota, Northwestern, and Wisconsin have introduced new head coaches -- nearly half of these programs now being steered by a coach with no previous head coaching experience. That's seven schools changing coaches just since '04, with Tiller on the clock, and Ferentz & Paterno both on the proverbial hot seat.

It is entirely conceivable that in 2009, Tressel will be the dean of Big Ten head coaches, when as recently as just six years ago he was above only Gerry DiNardo (Indiana, 2002) and John L Smith (Michigan St, 2003).

Consider that the Big Ten conference media days just ten years ago were like the SEC's now - more than half the coaches in the league would have CFB HoF credentials, while Turner and Cameron have been highly regarded NFL assistants in their careers.

1998 Conference Coaching Roster (total # of head coaches since '98):

Illinois (2) - Ron Turner
Indiana (4) - Cam Cameron
Iowa (2) - Hayden Fry
Michigan (2) - Lloyd Carr
Michigan St (4) - Nick Saban
Minnesota (2) - Glen Mason
Northwestern (3) - Gary Barnett
Ohio State (2) - John Cooper
Penn St (1) - Joe Paterno
Purdue (1) - Joe Tiller
Wisconsin (2) - Barry Alverez

It will also be interesting to watch the changes in fortunes between the Big Ten and SEC if/when 'the Big Two' go and cherry pick the SEC's last two national championship winning head coaches. There is no doubt in my mind that Les Miles would have taken the Michigan job if not for the poor timing last year, while Urban Meyer is an Ohioan and former OSU assistant, has recruiting ties from his BGSU days, and was long noted to have an out in his Utah contract for OSU before he even went to Florida. It is not out of the realm of possibility to have both Miles and Meyer in the Big Ten in the next ten years, plus a guy like Schiano at Penn State.

FWIW, I tend to think our conference overall team speed is greater, but those that think there is a huge difference in skilled position speed are dreaming.

I think our DE are better over all, and that we tend to have the athletes to play man coverage, which has worked well for our defenses in the BCS games. I tend to think that it is more of a defensive advantage for the SEC due to some preference for zone defense in the Big 10, and if there were a DC swap between conferences, the gap would close quickly.

[pokey]

Originally Posted by Dryden

There is no doubt in my mind that Les Miles would have taken the Michigan job if not for the poor timing last year, while Urban Meyer is an Ohioan and former OSU assistant, has recruiting ties from his BGSU days, and was long noted to have an out in his Utah contract for OSU before he even went to Florida. It is not out of the realm of possibility to have both Miles and Meyer in the Big Ten in the next ten years, plus a guy like Schiano at Penn State.

Both Les Miles and Urban Meyer are Ohioans and they have won the last 2 championships. The three national championships that the SEC has won this decade are all attributable to Northerners: Miles, Meyer and Saban. Maybe just a very interesting correlation. But when Bama with its deep Southern roots goes out and hires a Yankee (Saban), I suspect this is more than a correlation and possibly causation.