College Football Data Shows 128 Close Conference Games, A Decades-Long Record

College football conference play is producing the closest results in at least half a century. Sportradar data shows that 128 conference games this season have been decided by eight points or fewer. That total is the highest through Week 8 since 1973. It is also 32 more than the count at this point last year.

The trend accelerated last week when 30 one-score conference games were played across the Bowl Subdivision. That single-week figure represents the most in a week since at least 1973. The average point differential in conference games now stands at 13.9 points. That is the lowest average recorded in the same time frame.

The closeness of these contests is visible across all four major power conferences. The Atlantic Coast Conference has seen 20 of its 39 conference games decided by one score. That is a 51 percent rate. The Big Ten Conference has recorded 19 one-score games out of 38 played, a 50 percent rate. The Big 12 Conference has 13 such games out of 33, or 39 percent. The Southeastern Conference has 17 one-score games out of 39, a 44 percent rate.

In total, 69 one-score conference games have been played in the Power Four so far this season. Coaches have frequently cited parity as the reason for the upsets. The statistical trendlines appear to support those claims. The data reflects a league where the gap between top and bottom teams is shrinking in conference matchups.

This week’s slate includes several high-profile matchups that could continue the pattern. Ohio State travels to the West Coast without quarterback Julian Sayin. Georgia hosts Florida after an upset loss to Auburn. Utah faces Cincinnati in a rematch of a recent close contest. BYU plays at home against a Sun Devils team that gave Kansas State trouble last week.

Other notable games include Indiana’s visit to a team that has not scored more than 20 points in three games. Notre Dame takes on Navy, which is dealing with defensive struggles. Texas faces Auburn, which lost quarterback Kamario Taylor for the season. Iowa plays Wisconsin, a team it has beaten in its last four meetings.

Five teams have byes this week. They are Kentucky, Alabama, LSU, Tennessee, and Houston. The remaining games are scheduled for Saturday. The data from Sportradar provides the baseline for measuring the current state of competition. The 128 close games stand as a concrete measure of the shift in college football.