Update 2: Bowl Standings

With only three bowl games remaining the Pac-10 has wrapped up the Bowl Challenge Cup. The Big Ten could really use a win from Ohio State over Texas, while the Big 12 has a chance to add two more wins and improve to 5-2. A Florida win over Oklahoma in the BCS title game would give the SEC the most wins at six. The Mid American Conference needs Ball State to knock off Tulsa in the GMAC Bowl on Tuesday to get its only victory.

I'm surprised how well the Pac-10 played this bowl season, but it's a stretch to say it was the best conference this season. Utah's upset of Alabama and South Carolina's pitiful performance against Iowa dented the SEC claim to being the best.

If Texas and Oklahoma win the Big 12 should be considered the best. But let's wait and see.

Conference Bowl Standings
Pac-10 5-0
SEC 5-2
Big East 4-2
Big 12 3-2
Conference USA 3-2
Mountain West 3-2
Sun Belt 1-1
ACC 4-6
Western Athletic 1-4
Big Ten 1-5
MAC 0-4

Update: Bowl Standings

Just for fun and with the Independence Bowl still in doubt (La. Tech leads Northern Illinois 14-7), here is our second look at how each conference is fairing so far. Interesting to note that not a single SEC or Big 12 team has played yet. Maybe that does prove these were the best two conferences this year and why Florida and Oklahoma (should be Texas) are playing in the BCS Championship.

The Big 12's Missouri faces Northwestern in the Valero Alamo Bowl at 8 p.m. tomorrow. Vanderbilt will start things off for the SEC as the Commodores take on Boston College in the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl at 3:30 p.m. on New Year's Eve.

Here are the rankings so far:
Big East 2-0
Pac-10 2-0
Mountain West 2-1
ACC 2-2
Conference USA 1-1
Independents 1-1
Sun Belt 1-1
Big 10 0-1
Mid American 0-1
Western Athletic 0-3

(Photo courtesy of The Associated Press)

Very early bowl standings

Some analysts believe you can tell what conference is the best by bowl game records. I think it's helpful, but by no means a true evaluation. Now BCS Bowl records are important (Big East 3-0 since 2006).

Here is an early look at conference standings in bowls as Southern Miss of Conference USA and Troy of the Sun Belt are knotted at 7-7 late in the first quarter.

ACC 1-0
Big East 1-0
Pac-10 1-0
Mountain West 1-1
Conference USA 0-1
Independents 0-1
Western Athletic 0-1