The "computer numbers" are a model that makes comparisons by reiterative analyses. It is a statistically valid method for assigning "strength" values to the teams, based on perfromance. However, with any statistical system, it is neither foolproof nor clairvoyant. Such as system deals with probablities.
"That is why guys like Ryan Leaf could never make it in the NFL. Over hyped PAC 10 joke."
For every Ryan Leaf from the Pac-10 I can name a Gino Torretta or a Charlie Ward from other conferences. I can also tell you some of the best quarterbacks ever to play the game came out of western schools.
The PAC-10 and its forerunners (PAC-8, etc) have always been under-appreciated by the eastern and southern writers. I can remember one year in the 1970's, in which USC beat Alabama during the season, ended up with a better record, and still only split the "national title" with them. Such is the south-east bias.