Tom Fornelli over at CBS Sports updated his weekly conference ratings, and there’s one thing Big 12 fans should notice right away. The Big 12 isn’t just hanging in there; it’s clearly ahead of the ACC and closer to the Big Ten than some might think.
According to Fornelli’s numbers, the SEC is sitting on top with a 7.41 rating. The Big Ten is next at 6.93. Then comes the Big 12 at 6.31, with the ACC trailing at 5.33. There’s a clear top three here, and the Big 12 is holding its own.
A lot of the national conversation has defaulted to the usual script: SEC dominance, Big Ten power, then everyone else fighting for scraps. But this shows a bit more nuance. The Big 12 isn’t just a step ahead of the ACC, it’s a full stride. And it’s not far off the Big Ten either, despite the money and branding gap.
This shouldn’t be that surprising if you’ve watched the product this year. The middle of the Big 12 is deeper than people give it credit for. Teams like BYU, Texas Tech, Utah, and even Cincinnati have looked like College Football Playoff contenders. Sure, there’s been inconsistency. But that’s true in every league in America.
The Big 12’s biggest knock lately has been a lack of true national contenders, and usually that’s fair. This season, things are different as the league features a pair of teams in the Top 10, BYU and Texas Tech, as well as two other programs in the Top 25.
The ACC being over a full point lower is also worth noting. While the national media loves hyping up certain ACC brands, Fornelli’s numbers say otherwise. The league just hasn’t produced consistent results this year, and that shows up in the math.
So where does the Big 12 go from here? Win meaningful games in November. Keep the blowouts down. Show up in bowl season. That’s how you close the gap and turn respect into leverage. The numbers are getting closer. Now it’s just a matter of finishing the job.
