[capitan_refugio]

They weren't big enough to overcome voting collusion in the coaches poll (that is, if you were talking about #4 Cal before the bowls - stuck in a game traditionally reserved for the WAC champion).

The traditional Big-4 were all January 1 before the BCS (with the exception of Sundays in the case of the Rose Bowl). The Fiesta Bowl has become a major bowl, the Cotton Bowl has lost some if its former luster. The rest are pretenders.

[Texas2step]

They weren't big enough to overcome voting collusion in the coaches poll

So, according to your definition, there were 13 "big dogs" who were ranked lower than California who did get to play on New Year's day? Including unranked West Virginia?

Or, maybe you're one of those who believe Cali was just overrated?

Count it anyway you want to. You're going to believe your own personal bias anyway. But, here's the facts:
Big 12
4 bowl victories (including one "biggie" by your definitions, and one over the #4 team in the nation)
7 bowl invites

Correct me if I'm wrong, but none of the other conferences beat that, including the SEC or Pac-10.