Well, ok, I'm going to buck the trend and try to keep this off-topic thread on-topic. (Huh?
)
I wonder if the talent level is just being spread around more, due to more television and media coverage? Not too long ago, some coaches could coax the really good players by saying, "Come to Big-Time U. and we can get you on TV!". Now, with cable and regional networks, that isn't as big a draw anymore for the big schools, so the really good players can stick closer to home, or go to the same school their friends are going, etc.