With the first CFP poll nonsense coming out, thought I would look at the rankings under 2 of statistical rankings I like to look at; Sagarin ( ode to Cygarin) and the Simple Rating System (SRS) by College Football Sports Reference:
Sagarin: (ranks conferences by divisions)
Big12: Ranked 2; 6 teams top 20; 10 top 50.
SEC: Divisions ranked 1,4; 5 top 20; 11 top 50
BIG: Divisions 3,8; 3 top 20; 10 top 50
PAC: Divisions 5,7; 3 top 20; 7 top 50
ACC: Divisions 6,10; 1 top 20; 7 top 50.
ISU: 31; UI: 38.
SRS
Big12: Rank 1; 3 top 20; 9 top 50
SEC: Rank 2; 6 top 20; 9 top 50
BIG: Rank 3; 4 top 20; 7 top 60
PAC: Rank 5; 4 top 20; 6 top 50
ACC: Rank 4; 3 top 20; 8 top 50.
ISU: 37; UI: 56
Interestingly, SRS gives a separate score and ranking for offense and defense:
Defense: ISU 6!; UI 7
Offense: ISU 99 (ouch); Brian Ferentz 112
Ratings seem about right to me (Big12 really tough 1-10) although both systems like Texas more than I do. The Big12 newcomers from the AAC rank decently as well.