Strength of divisions in College Football

I'm pretty new to college football. Been hearing that some conferences are more dominant than others. What does 'most stacked' really mean and how is it determined?

In the context of college football, saying a conference is "most stacked" implies that it has a high concentration of very talented, competitive teams. Here's a rundown of some of the key factors that people often have in mind when they use this term:

1. Sports Rankings: Various ranking systems exist to grade college football teams, and by extension, their conferences. The College Football Playoff rankings and the Associated Press (AP) poll are two key rankings. A conference is often considered more formidable if it has a higher number of teams within these polls.

2. Game Wins: The total number of wins a conference’s teams achieve, especially against other highly ranked teams or teams in other dominant conferences, can also be a sign of strength. Teams that win crucial matches, especially in Bowl Games or the College Football Playoff, naturally boost their conference's stature.

3. Player Talent: A conference with a high number of all-star athletes or NFL recruits is often considered robust, as that reflects a high level of performance on the field.

4. Historical Success: If a conference has a history of winning national championships or being successful in Bowl Games, it is often seen as more formidable.

5. Coach Impact: Strong, reputed coaches can also play a factor in the performance of teams in a conference. If a conference has several top-tier coaches, it could be considered a more "stacked" conference.

As of now, two of the traditionally most successful divisions are the Big Ten and the Southeastern Conference (SEC). In recent years, these two have often been vying for the title of the "most stacked" division. But changes such as the conference realignment in 2024-2025 have stirred things up in college football. For instance, top schools like University of Oregon and UCLA shifting from the PAC-12 to the Big Ten, Texas and Oklahoma moving from the Big 12 to the SEC, and others could potentially shift the competitive balance between these conferences.

Sports dynamics are always evolving, so keeping an eye on the latest season developments is the best way to stay informed. I hope you find this initial overview helpful!