Hard to compare OOC though, as who people play is completely subjective and in no way consistent. Therefore the conferences don't include them in their records. Counting only conference games keeps everything fair in the conference title race.
16 huh? You might as well call it the "National Conference" then. Or call it the "Union Conference" and the SEC can add the southern division of the Big 12 and call it the "Confederate Conference." I like our odds this time.
I imagine my great-great ancestors would've done just that (fought harder that is) had they've known how screwed up you Yanks would have the country today.