Data shows no evidence of SEC bias in poll

Published Oct. 21, 2014 5:56 p.m. ET

foxsports

With research by STATS, The Associated Press looked at how teams rise and fall in the AP Top 25 after winning and losing conference games this season and over the past five seasons to try see if Southeastern Conference teams are gaining more and being punished less than when teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big 12, Big Ten and Pac-12 play conference games.

The findings.

(Note: All unranked teams are considered to be in 26th place before moving into the rankings and when falling out.)

Average rise in poll spots of ranked teams after beating a conference opponent from 2009-2013

ACC - +2.0

Big Ten - +1.9

Big 12 - +1.8

Pac-12 - +1.6

Southeastern - +1.5

2014 (through games of Oct. 18)

Big 12 - +3.1

SEC - +2.8

Pac-12 - +2.3

Big Ten - +1.7

ACC - +0.4

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Average drop in poll spots of ranked power-five teams after losing to a conference opponent from 2009-2013

Pac-12 - -5.3

Southeastern - -5.5

Big 12 - -6.0

Big Ten - -6.0

ACC - -6.6

2014 (through games of Oct. 18)

ACC - -4.3

Big Ten - -5.5

Big 12 - -7.0

Pac-12 - -7.5

SEC - -7.5

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