In a battle of 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th place teams, I'd take the PAC 12 over most other conferences (except for SEC).
#5 Oregon > TCU, Michigan St., Georgia Tech, Memphis, Nevada
#6 Arizona St. > Baylor, Wisconsin, Virginia, South Florida, Hawaii
#7 USC > Kansas St., Purdue, Boston College, Tulane, Wyoming
#8 Cal >/= Texas Tech, Maryland, Miami, SMU, San Diego St.