strange as it is for me to say it, i'm thinking the ACC is the most solid conference.
Louisville, FSU, Clemson > VT, NCST, Miami, Pitt, GT >> BC, UNCCH, Duke, Virginia >>> Syracuse, Wake
compared to
Bama > LSU, UF, UGA, ~ Auburn, Arky >> aTm, UTk, USCe, MissSt, OleMiss, UK >>> Mizzou, Vandy
It seems to me the ACC has more contenders at the top, while both have really solid middles. It's my opinion that UL can play with anyone, and were just a few plays from the tourney last year- measurably, and against the other two sitting adjacent them. don't forget Pitt beat Clemson. VT second year under Fuentes is going to light it up offensively while still having a stout D. NCST is a team folks better not look past. They can play against anyone and come out with their heads held high. Miami under Richt should be a sparking force this season. GT is just plain tricky to play. The rest of them are softer than the 'rest' of the SEC by my estimation.
PAC is solid this year. They're at least equal to the SEC.
tOSU, PSU, Wiscy > UM, huskers, >> MichSt, Minni, Iowa, Maryland, >>> the rest...
The three headed lead off is significant- they are wicked tough up top and comparable to the ACC- but they lack depth after that, and opportunity to fall out drops in inter-league play, which makes them (and the SEC quite frankly) hard to get a bead on. UM could move up fast, along with the huskers and any other one of the next four- but the upside isn't near as strong/likely as it is in the ACC or SEC by my reckonin'. Seems like I'm knocking the B10, but.... i'm not. Those three atop the league are really tough cookies.
12 has questions. who i thought was solid this season underwent coaching changes and the offensive threat lacks defense (oSu)...
but that's how I'd stack them if I had to.... ACC > (PAC-SEC-B10) >> 12