Many of them taking a statistical/objective approach. Sagarin, ESPN, Vegasinsider, CBS etc. I get that that isnt definitive proof. You are right, we wouldnt know for sure unless the conf's played each other week in and week out. But outside of b1g country (and Provo) the Pac is widely considered the 2nd best conference in the league, tho a couple rankings have them third, behind the b12.