I've often argued that balanced might be strong as a whole. But really 2000 was not. Obviously out of conference games will help make clearer if its balanced and weak or balanced and strong. In 2000 the Big Ten was 25-17, one of its worst marks since Penn State joined. It was ranked between 4th and 6th best conference in most computer rankings. I'm not sure why anyone would spend 50 posts defending it as a strong conference.
eg. Sagarin:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/ncaaf/sagarin/2000/conference/
eg. Sagarin:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/ncaaf/sagarin/2000/conference/