[CTcard]

I can't really see an argument for why the Pac-12 isn't the fifth best conference. Every other P5 had more top 25 teams except the ACC, which had higher ranked teams, and we were the only conference not to have a team in the CFP (Clemson, Alabama, Michigan State, Oklahoma).

Well, one argument is that counting teams in the top 25 is at best a limited measure of conference quality. 

For example, that year (2015-16) Sagarin had the Pac 12 as the second best conference in the country (SEC West was best of Power 5 divisions, SEC East the worst of the Power 5 divisions, but their average beats the Pac divisions at #2 and #4 or #2 and #3 depending upon which measure you take). 


I don't particularly trust Sagarin, I just used it because its convenient and points out that rating the conferences depends strongly on exactly what you are rating. 
For me, the take aways are:- the differences among the Power 5 are very small compared to the differences between the Power 5 and the rest. 
- the differences generally are smaller than most all fans think. 
- year to year, who's where jumbles around a lot. 
- one constant is the ACC is usually towards the bottom on measures that consider the whole conference. [Though Sagarin had them #1 in 2016.]

[CTcard]

I can't really see an argument for why the Pac-12 isn't the fifth best conference. Every other P5 had more top 25 teams except the ACC, which had higher ranked teams, and we were the only conference not to have a team in the CFP (Clemson, Alabama, Michigan State, Oklahoma).

Well, one argument is that counting teams in the top 25 is at best a limited measure of conference quality. 

For example, that year (2015-16) Sagarin had the Pac 12 as the second best conference in the country (SEC West was best of Power 5 divisions, SEC East the worst of the Power 5 divisions, but their average beats the Pac divisions at #2 and #4 or #2 and #3 depending upon which measure you take). 


I don't particularly trust Sagarin, I just used it because its convenient and points out that rating the conferences depends strongly on exactly what you are rating. 
For me, the take aways are:- the differences among the Power 5 are very small compared to the differences between the Power 5 and the rest. 
- the differences generally are smaller than most all fans think. 
- year to year, who's where jumbles around a lot. 
- one constant is the ACC is usually towards the bottom on measures that consider the whole conference. [Though Sagarin had them #1 in 2016.]