Agreed rjk. Even powerhouses like Michigan have down years, but they always return to glory. Well, except for Notre Dame which has not won a major bowl in over 20 years.
People forget that not so long ago, Alabama was very average. From 1997-2007, Alabama was a mediocre program. Below are some of their seasons during that 11 season stretch:
1997: 4-7
1998: 7-5
2000: 3-8
2001: 7-5
2003: 4-9
2004: 6-6
2006: 6-7
2007: 7-6
LSU, which has been almost as formidable as Alabama in recent years also had a decade of mediocrity not so long ago. Below are some of their seasons during that 11 season stretch:
1989: 4-7
1990: 5-6
1991: 5-6
1992: 2-9
1993: 5-6
1994: 4-7
1995: 7-4-1
1998: 4-7
1999: 3-8
USC, same story:
1991: 3-8
1992: 6-5-1
1993: 8-5
1996: 6-6
1997: 6-5
1998: 8-5
1999: 6-6
2000: 5-7
2001: 6-6
Michigan has been mediocre for a decade too now, with the exception of 3 acceptable seasons (2006, 2007, 2011). But this will change quickly with Harbaugh. We may need one season to turn things around, but I am optimistic about the future.