Best conference another debate to hit full force

There are sure things in life like death and taxes. In college football, there are sure debates such as “let’s have a playoff instead of the BCS.”

Another discussion that is certain to come up is “which conference is the best?” Most people seem to be saying Big 12 or SEC. Pac-10 folks will argue that they are the best based on their 5-0 bowl game record last season. The Big Ten has taken plenty of hits based on Ohio State’s consecutive National Championship Game blowout losses (41-14 to Florida and 38-24 to LSU).

The truth of the matter is that the best conference changes every year or every few years. It’s cyclical. Right now, the perception is that the SEC and Big 12 are the best from top to bottom.

Pac 10 folks will argue their 5-0 bowl game record of last year and that USC could beat the best of either conference. For starters, the 5-0 bowl game record is a great achievement after a subpar out of conference season. However, let’s also remember that Oregon defeated an Oklahoma State team in a game where starting quarterback Zac Robinson got injured and while Oregon and/or California is legitimately the second best Pac-10 team, Oklahoma State was the fourth best team in the Big 12 South (a six team division). Cal defeated Miami in the Emerald Bowl but let’s face it, these are your brothers Hurricanes.

Individually, there’s no doubt that USC can beat the best of any conference on a given day but are you going to sit here and tell me that Cal is better than Georgia or Alabama, no I’m not buying it. Are you going to tell me that Washington would beat Vanderbilt, the two worst in the Pac 10 and SEC respective? No, not buying it. Baylor, which was tied with Texas A&M at 4-8 for the second worst Big 12 record, defeated Washington State 10-7 on its home field. Washington State was the second worst in the Pac 10.

The Big 10 has been a punching bag in the national media based on Ohio State’s aforementioned failures. However, keep in mind, the Buckeyes lost 24-20 to Texas (a team some feel got snubbed out of the National Title game). Yes, Ohio State lost but it’s not like they got outclassed.

Besides Ohio State, the Big 10 has had its moments with Michigan and Penn State winning New Year's Day games over the SEC a few years ago and Iowa beating up South Carolina last year. Wisconsin has always played the SEC tough and Michigan State wasn't horrible in last year's Capital One Bowl loss to a superior Georgia team.