I see your points, but I just dislike this kind of "eye test" logic.
The "eye test" is why ESPN can trash the Big 12 in football even if computers like us, why traditional powers "make the cut" whenever something is controversial and in human hands (e.g., Ohio State and Alabama considered for the playoff but not an undefeated UCF that looked great in the computer rankings and advanced metrics and eventually beat Auburn pretty easily, the only team to beat Alabama last season), and why a great block by an Iowa State player must be holding and a great block by an Oklahoma player is just a great block.
I find the eye test a tool of oppression. This is not 1950. We have better ways now.
This reminds of that scene in
Moneyball where the scouts are raving about how great some prospect is at hitting. Brad Pitt says, "If he hits so well, why does he not hit so well?" Brad was looking at the numbers in front of him, and the scouts were using the eye test. Brad is right. I kind of feel the same way about KSU looking at their numbers.