The PAC is just not the same as the BIG. The thing that makes Stanford unique in the PAC with the brand of football they play is not unique in the BIG and they don't do it as well as Wisconsin, Michigan, Penn St, Michigan State or Iowa. Maybe like NW, they put together a season every 10 years or so, but the program has regressed substantially in the past 4 years and if they turn into NW, Vandy or Rutgers, kids don't wanna play for a loser regardless of academics of conference as evidenced by the other 3. Stanford hasn't always had a strong program and prior to Harbaugh , wasn't a big draw for FB recruits. Another 3 or 4 years of bad football like the last 3-4 have been puts Stanford right back to where they were pre-Harbaugh