CBS Sports analyst Tom Fornelli released his updated conference ratings this week, and the numbers show the Big 12 holding a clear edge over the ACC while also pushing closer to the Big Ten near the top of the rankings. The SEC remains out in front, but the gap between the next three conferences is shrinking.
Fornelli’s formula, which tracks results across the Power Four, placed the SEC first at 14.65. The Big Ten came in second at 13.68, while the Big 12 landed just behind at 13.40. The ACC was a distant fourth at 9.62, giving the Big 12 a comfortable cushion over a league that has traditionally battled for positioning in the middle of the pack.
Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark has worked tirelessly on his vision to improve the league’s public perception. The result is a conference that not only compares favorably to the ACC but is closing in on the Big Ten, which has long been considered one of the two dominant leagues in the sport.
The Big 12’s third-place position is particularly notable given how narratives around conference strength have shaped College Football Playoff discussions in the past. With the expanded field set to reward top conferences, moving closer to the Big Ten’s rating strengthens the league’s case for multiple bids and a more favorable perception nationally.
Meanwhile, the ACC’s struggles highlight the difference in early-season momentum. With Clemson and SMU facing setbacks and depth issues throughout the league, the ACC has fallen well behind its peers in overall strength. That gap leaves the Big 12 in a stronger position to argue its place in the national conversation, especially if its middle-tier teams continue to post quality wins.
The SEC remains the standard at the top of the rankings, but the Big 12’s climb into striking distance of the Big Ten is the headline. A few more weeks of strong performances could push the conference even closer, and if the trajectory continues, it may reshape how playoff selection committees and fans alike view the balance of power in college football.
