I don’t think there’s any real debate that the SEC as a whole was stronger in the early 10’s than it has been the last few years. Maybe more top heavy, but as a whole, nah.
Program by program comparison
UGA- better now, still solid back then though
Florida- about the same
South Carolina- they were a consistent top 10 team back then, they’re happy to make a bowl now
Tennessee- about the same
Vandy- they’re basically Kansas now, they were bowling consistently back then
Kentucky- better now for sure
Missouri- A LOT better back then
Alabama- More dominant back then, still a major force though
Auburn-They played for a natty back then, mediocre today
Ole Miss- Kiffin has em on the right track, but they were better in the e Freeze years
Miss State- about the same
LSU- outside of one amazing year, they were a program back then
Arkansas- They had an all around shitty decade, but they were top 5 in 2011
A&M- better back then