Best D3 Conferences

Mike Winchell · September 02, 2007, 06:39:19 PM

I'm sure this has been posted or asked many times, and I apologize for the inconvience, but can somebody ranked the Top 3-5 Division 3 conferences? I'm sure the WIAC is first but who else?

Mr. Ypsi · September 02, 2007, 06:57:35 PM

This site's "Kickoff" went well beyond that - ranking ALL the conferences! But Pat and Keith might pull the plug on me if I let you get away without buying your own copy.

Mike Winchell · September 02, 2007, 06:59:16 PM

Haha I can respect that dawg

K-Mack · September 03, 2007, 06:08:40 PM

Mike and Ypsi,
We will publish the rankings again outside of kickoff, probably in this week's ATN or sometime soon seperately. I'll even spruce it up with some new commentary, for your reading pleasure!

Mike Winchell · September 03, 2007, 06:20:34 PM

Thats a bet, I appreciate that my man...

DanPadavona · September 11, 2007, 06:48:59 AM

The WIAC is clearly the top conference. I also like the OAC, due to the performance of teams besides Mt. Union in the NCAA playoffs. And due to the favorable score comparisons of OAC teams vs. Mt Union, vs the rest of the nation. Take Capital 2005 and 2006 for instance. They could have beaten Mt Union twice in the playoffs. Nobody else came that close.

Also consider Mt. Union's last loss in 2005 was to Ohio Northern, another OAC team.

repete · September 12, 2007, 12:56:08 AM

If you looked at the conferences alone, it might seem strange that a team could open with NC wins over WIAC and OAC teams and drop in the polls ...

But then neither Marietta not UWRF are world beaters so no complaint here.

I don't really have a problem with UMHB passing SJU. Thought the Johnnies might be a litttle bit high and I have a hunch that this might be the year UMHB gets UWW ... and Wesley. Plus the MIAC might be a bit more balanced than most people think.

K-Mack · October 03, 2007, 11:54:06 AM

Quote from: Mike Winchell on September 03, 2007, 06:20:34 PM
Thats a bet, I appreciate that my man...

Mike,
You catch the most recent ATN? Sorry I couldn't get to it sooner.

D3_DPUFan · December 12, 2007, 11:28:58 AM

Is there a legitimate site(s) that provides D III strength of conference information...either something based on real data or even perspective pieces that may have been authored by "experts"? Thanks for any help you can provide.

Pat Coleman · December 12, 2007, 11:31:25 AM

Yes, check out Keith McMillan's Around the Nation column on D3football.com.

http://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-nation

D3_DPUFan · December 12, 2007, 01:30:09 PM

Thanks, Pat.

K-Mack · December 19, 2007, 02:42:07 AM

Some quick links:

Updated the '07 Kickoff rankings with early-season non-conference action:
http://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-nation/2007-09-26/How+we+ranked+the+conferences

2006: Started doing them with Kickoff and sharing afterward:
http://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-nation/2006-08-30/ATN%27s+2006+conference+rankings

2004: Most thorough. Also took like 20 hours.
http://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-nation/2004-11-04/Ranking+the+conferences

First time we tried it, in 2002:
http://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-nation/2002-11-07/Ranking+the+conferences%2C+top+to+bottom

TCrawf5825 · November 28, 2010, 01:31:46 AM

I have an idea and am curious how you guys feel about it. I believe the NCAA should give power ratings to each conference every year and then only give out automatic playoff bids to the upper 1/2 of the conferences and let the rest be selected at large. that would keep weak conference champions from getting in and let some of th better teams from stronger conferences get a shot. If a conference champ from a weak conference deserves it they can get selected at large

jknezek · November 28, 2010, 11:41:37 AM

Quote from: TCrawf5825 on November 28, 2010, 01:31:46 AM
I have an idea and am curious how you guys feel about it. I believe the NCAA should give power ratings to each conference every year and then only give out automatic playoff bids to the upper 1/2 of the conferences and let the rest be selected at large. that would keep weak conference champions from getting in and let some of th better teams from stronger conferences get a shot. If a conference champ from a weak conference deserves it they can get selected at large

It never fails to amaze me how people want to complicate a surprisingly effective and simple playoff formula. What we have now works. Six of the top eight teams, as the polls saw them, remain in the playoffs. What more do you want? Lets make it more subjective by trying to quantify depth of conference? How about we don't do that.

Lets let the conference winners in. This way you guarantee you get the best team in the country. Lets face it, if you can't win your conference you aren't the best team. Period. Now, some aberration happens and a very, very good team didn't win their conference? Guess what... Pool C bid and you are in! Lets look at the playoffs right now. How many Pool C bids are still going? As near as I can tell there is 1, Bethel. So, 7 of 8 remaining teams won their conference, whereas 6 of 7 Pool C bids are gone. And you want to add more Pool C bids? Why?

Mr. Ypsi · November 28, 2010, 01:48:22 PM

Not so fast on the pool Cs. First off, there were only 6, not 7. In round one, they went 4-2, with both losses to other pool Cs. In round two, one matchup was again C vs C, the other two Cs lost to #1 seeds. Pool C teams acquitted themselves extremely well.