The argument of what is the best college football conference is never settled. The Southeastern Conference likes to brag about being the best, fans of teams in the conference love to tell you how it’s the best and, well, its record in the College Football Playoff provides some measure of proof that it’s the best.
But, when it comes to winning bowl games in this last bowl season, the SEC is not the best. That honor belongs to the Big Ten.
OK, let’s not get crazy. No. 2 on the list is the Mid-American Conference, so maybe that league just had good matchups this year.
In year’s past, this list might have meant more, but with the transfer portal and opt-outs, schools are going into bowl games with completely different teams than they had in the regular season.
But, it’s a ranking, so here you go.
Related: Why are there so many bowls?
College football bowl records by conference
- Big Ten 7-3 (.700)
- MAC 4-2 (.666)
- (tie) Big 12 5-4 (.555)
- (tie) Pac-12 5-4 (.555)
- (tie) SEC 5-4 (.555)
- AAC 3-3 (.500)
- Sun Belt 5-7 (.416)
- ACC 4-7 (.363)
- MW 2-5 (.285)
- CUSA 1-3 (.250)
Related: College Football defense rankings
Which conference has the best record in the College Football Playoff?
This ranking tells a different story. The SEC might not win more bowl games, but the league has done well in the playoffs, even with this year’s Alabama loss to Michigan.
- Southeastern Conference: 16-6
- Big Ten: 4-7
- ACC: 6-6
- Big 12: 1-6
- Pac-12: 2-2
- Independent: 0-1
- AAC: 0-1
Related: College Football Playoff picture, history
What schools have the best record in the College Football Playoff?
Since it has the best overall record, it would stand to reason SEC schools have the most appearances, so we looked at most wins.
- Alabama: 9-5
- Clemson: 6-4
- Ohio State: 3-4
- Georgia: 5-1
- LSU: 2-0
- Michigan: 2-2
- Oregon: 1-1
- TCU: 1-1
- Washington: 1-2
- Florida State: 0-1
- Michigan State: 0-1
- Cincinnati: 0-1
- Texas: 0-1
- Notre Dame: 0-2
- Oklahoma: 0-4