5 reasons Big 12 football will be better than ACC in 2019

2. The rebirth of the University of Texas

This might not sit well with Oklahoma fans, but the University of Texas at Austin is the alpha in the Big 12 along with the Sooners. The Big 12 follows the lead of the Longhorns and Sooners.

Oklahoma is definitely a close second, but there’s simply more buzz around the conference when Texas is good. Since 2009, Oklahoma has won six conference championships and Texas only one. Clemson and Oklahoma are playoff or bust programs. That additional team in the Big 12 gives either the Longhorns or Sooners the additional data point the Tigers simply don’t have. Clemson should go undefeated in the ACC.

Consider the SEC — they are willing to take hits for their non-conference schedule because they know that their conference schedule is arguably stronger than anyone else.

According to ESPN, the SEC has two of the top six divisions in the Power Five. The logic is simple here, when you have better teams it makes your strength of schedule better. It would have been a difficult sell if Clemson splits with Pittsburgh. It’s a much easier sell when it’s Texas and Oklahoma.

Simply put, Clemson needs a stronger opponent in their conference championship game.