[Austroturf]

Sagarin rates the Pac-12 North as the third best division in NCAA (behind the SEC West and Big Ten East, though basically tied with the Big12).  On the other hand, the Pac-12 South is the second worst division (ahead of only the Big Ten West).  Basically, in terms of conference quality, there is the SEC, and there is everyone else.

BC

Yes, there is a clear north-south divide.  The three Pac-12 teams still in the top 25 all hail from the north.  That said, USC is still viewed as the traditional face of the Pac-12 (champion last year and historical power); and their current sad form costs the conference a lot of credibility.  Add UCLA's nosedive to the mix, and the largest Pac-12 market (LA) is a sinkhole of failure three games into the season.  All is not lost, of course, but the conference needs some signature wins going forward.

[Austroturf]

Sagarin rates the Pac-12 North as the third best division in NCAA (behind the SEC West and Big Ten East, though basically tied with the Big12).  On the other hand, the Pac-12 South is the second worst division (ahead of only the Big Ten West).  Basically, in terms of conference quality, there is the SEC, and there is everyone else.

BC

Yes, there is a clear north-south divide.  The three Pac-12 teams still in the top 25 all hail from the north.  That said, USC is still viewed as the traditional face of the Pac-12 (champion last year and historical power); and their current sad form costs the conference a lot of credibility.  Add UCLA's nosedive to the mix, and the largest Pac-12 market (LA) is a sinkhole of failure three games into the season.  All is not lost, of course, but the conference needs some signature wins going forward.