What conferences traditionally allow for the most and least yardage, so a fantasy college football GM can narrow the choices to find the best talent available?

This study looks at offensive production from 2004 (post-ACC expansion) thru 2009. Ranks are done for each school nationally and within each conference for each year. I also took a look at the general body of work and got a 3-yr rank (’07-’09) and a 6-yr rank (’04-’09).

Then I took each conferences top 3 rushing and top 3 passing attacks each year (NOTE: not always the same 3 teams, 2009′s top 3 rushing + 2008 top 3 rushing…) and ranked the best-of-the-best by conference.

The advantage of this process eliminates the disparity of San Jose State’s 119th ranked rushing O dragging down Nevada’s nationally #2 ground attack, or Hawaii’s #3 aerial assault isn’t bogged down with Louisiana Tech’s anemic 117th passing game.

Results after the jump.

These results confirmed a mantra I’ve long adhered to on Draft Day: Stay away from the ACC skill players, go for ACC defenses. ACC offenses rank (literally and olfactorally) near the very bottom of the national ranks for all time periods. Think of all the NFL skill talent that never fulfilled their potential during their college years – so maybe this year you throttle back on expectations for Anthony Allen, Ryan Williams, and Leonard Hankerson. Also makes that UNC defense sound even better!

How about the Big 12 offenses? We knew they were good, but here is the proof how good they have been – tops in passing for the entire study (100 ypg above median in the 3y!) and only last year falling in the run category. Question for 2010 – with Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford and Texas QB Colt McCoy graduated and Mike Leach captaining the Black Pearl, will this dominance continue? We think so, especially given the six year track record and the steadiness in the coaching ranks creating a culture of success.

The most useful takeaway must be the fantasy defensive selection process – while Oklahoma and Boise State always excel due to turnovers and big plays, the ACC and the SEC consistently crank out the least yardage so you can find a steady selection in those conferences once all the other owners have filled their D slot.

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