Everyone has good players now. The playing field is much more even now. Even with superior coaching the SEC still has the best players, but not the depth needed to blow teams out and sustain after starters get injured. Conferences don’t even matter anymore, who you play in conference will decide playoff appearances. The year you have to play Texas, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and Alabama you won’t make the playoffs in the SEC. The year you have to play Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, you won’t make the playoffs in the B1G. The same for the other conferences that are too big to decide a champion with divisions or the ability to play every team. The Big 12 had 4 teams finish 7-2 and had to use tie breakers. Schedules mean more than conference now.