By: David Ware (@davidware)
We enter the final chapter of non-conference play this week in the CFSL and the battle for the top conference is at stake. After this week it will be each conference simply beating up on themselves and so this will be the final opportunity for each conference to stake their claim as the best conference in all of the CFSL. Now sure we could use the eye test to determine who the top conference is but you all know that I like to go stat based so that’s what I am going to do. Thank you to the Wareforce Power Index ratings for providing the stats that will show us what conference has been the best. The big question I believe is how large is the gap between each conference. Let’s dive into the numbers now!
Let’s break down the stats that I will use to determine the top conference. We will use point net differential, winning percentage, weighted offensive points scored, and weighted defensive points allowed. The strength of schedule averages out for each conference at .500, so we will not use the strength of schedule.
Point Differential
Let’s dive into the point differential for each conference first and I am sure you will be as surprised about the numbers as I was. I had to go to the league website to confirm that my numbers were correct as I was blown away by how close it is now.
| Conference | Point Differential |
| Big10 | 6 |
| Big XII | 2 |
| SEC | -3 |
| ACC | -5 |
Only an 11-point swing from first to last in the category is really interesting to me, but even more interesting is that only two of the conferences have a positive differential. The Big10 is the leader with a (+6) differential and the ACC is in last with a (-5) differential. The Oregon Ducks and the Ohio State Buckeyes are the top two in the Big10 with (+33) and (+18) point differential to help put the Big10 in the positive. While the ACC has the worst differential, the SEC would have that title if it was not for the league-leading Alabama Crimson Tide who are (+62) on the season. The SEC has Florida and Georgia who are both (-34) on the season early on.
Win Percentage
The next stat is winning percentage and the Big10 wins this category as well while three of the four conferences have a winning percentage so far. The SEC is the only conference with a below .500 mark on the season and the only conference to have two teams without wins so far. The ACC and the Big XII have broken even at .500 to this point.
| Conference | Win Percentage |
| Big10 | .583 |
| ACC | .500 |
| BIG XII | .500 |
| SEC | .417 |
Points Scored
Points scored is the next category that we will take a look at as this stat will blow some minds. The Big10 is actually in last place on this one and the SEC is tied for first with the Big XII. This stat is a weighted stat of points scored compared to the league average. The Big10 is the only team that is below the league average in this stat. Kentucky is tied for most points scored in the league at 113 and Alabama has the third most points with 100.
| Conference | Points Score Compared to League Average |
| SEC | 1.021 |
| BIG XII | 1.021 |
| ACC | 1.015 |
| BIG10 | .922 |
The last stat we will look at is a weighted points allowed score per conference. The Big 10 is once again back at the top of the rankings as they have a large margin in their lead. The SEC and Big XII are tied for second and the ACC is in last place. One reason for the ACC being in last place in this category is because of their loss to Alabama and Notre Dame who have also given up over 110 points just like Clemson. The Big 10 only have two teams who have given up more than they scored and one of those is USC which only has a (-2) point differential.
Overall Standings
| Conference | Win Percentage |
| Big10 | .907 |
| BIG XII | .669 |
| SEC | .435 |
| ACC | .310 |
Well no shocker that the Big 10 not only passes the eye test as the best conference, but the numbers do not lie as the stats show that the Big 10 has a nice gap over second place. The large margin between each conference is surprising to me and this final week could alter these numbers.
Games That Can Alter the Standings
The Big XII is hoping that Texas can defeat Penn State and Oklahoma defeats Michigan State. That would help them close the gap they are behind currently. The SEC has an opportunity to pass the Big XII if Tennessee defeats West Virginia and Alabama can defeat LSU. The ACC could get out of the cellar If Miami can defeat USC and Florida State can beat Colorado. None the less this will be a wild finish to the non-conference play. Tune in as we watch the chaos unfold!
Until Next Time, Keep Your Game Face On and Your Spirits High
