Really good talent, some really good seasons, but disappointing in big games. Hell, they were turned into a Verb.
Unfortunately, ND can't do the things Bama does, no one outside the SEC really can. But ND, if it continues to keep the foundation strong and build upon it, can create a Clemson like culture. ND isn't 15+ players away from Clemson. A few alphas and a handful of depth guys away from being on par.
In regards to Bama, the hope has to be that LSU, Florida, Tenn, A&M all continue to ascend enough to steal from the Bama/UGA pipeline to spread the wealth of the top end guys.