ND is more as are a handful of others. It just simply is, and that is what makes us special.
Further, you act as though we are light years away, yet in truth we are very close. Our defense is championship caliber (and better than UT's, UW's, and Alabama's). Our offense had most of the pieces, but was missing good WR's and a top line QB....serviceable doesn't get there these days.
The same can be said of the offensive play-calling. Freeman has taken steps to address this.
I do agree with you that we were hamstrung by the admin too long and too often (esp the offensive coaching hire fiasco last year). But there are a new set of sheriffs in town, and there appears to be hope.
I do NOT agree that we have to cheat like Michigan to get to the top of the mountain. We never want to be like them. We can't be...because we actually care about doing it within the rules. They believe that the end justifies the means.