No they aren't. The elite programs have such an enormous recruiting advantage, it isn't even funny. Ohio State has signed more 5 star recruits than the entire B1G conference combined. I'm a Michigan fan and I can say without hesitation, Michigan doesn't recruit at the same level as the elite programs right now. The Bama's, the Georgia's, the Ohio State's. Hell -- you can add LSU, Texas, Clemson, etc.
2019-2023 -- Oregon has signed 6 five star recruits.
Bama has signed 26 five star recruits in that same time period.
Georgia has signed 23 five star recruits in that time period.
Ohio State has signed 18 five star recruits in that time period.
If you want to go to top 100 recruits over that time span -- it looks even worse.
Too many fans look at the ranking where they finish in recruiting and say -- we finished 8th or 10th or 13th and think -- we recruit like the top programs. You don't though. The difference between a top 5 recruiting class and a top 10 recruiting class is HUGE. Michigan doesn't either, so you understand, I'm not being hard on Oregon.
Yeah, I follow recruiting way too closely and I agree with you. I say that as a team that used to be in the top 5-10 all the time under Richt and would get beat by Bama.
To win consistently at the highest levels you have to have the following:
1. Depth - this is the number one thing.
2. Great LOS on both sides of the ball - this is 1a, really.
3. Very good to elite QB play, with decent playmakers (meaning you don't have to have the best WR/TE/TBs, just really good ones). AS an example, how many UGA RBs or WRs can you name on our team this year? Sure, Bowers. How many others?
4. Coaching that at worst doesn't lose the game for you.
When looking at this and recruiting, you have to have:
1. 4 straight years of top 5 classes, preferably top 3.
2. Consistent Top 10 won't cut it unless you have really good No. 3 above - elite QB play and playmakers. Think Clemson, FSU, and Auburn NCs.
3. Balanced classes (think ATM as the counterpoint), and luck to keep the classes together (again think ATM and UGA 2018 as counterpoints), and great roster management.
4. Great portal use - it needs to complement your high school recruiting. If you are doing it right, you will lose players who were top recruits who can't get PT, or don't pan out. The portal replaces them and fills in the cracks.