I think OSU will do just fine on the National level in the near future. They have talent, loads of it, a very good coach (2MNC) with heavy ties to the SEC. He will pull kids in from there to make them an elite team.
I think Michigan will be close, as state Hoke is a great coach, has turned programs around where ever he has been. Making San Diego State a winner was made me a believer.
Wisconsin, will be in the hunt on occassion due to their recruiting of the big uglies. They will get their coaching back soon.
Nebraska really has not been relevant for a long time. We have to start winning big games on National TV to even hope we can begin to compete with Ohio State. We have lost our strongest recruiting area in Texas I think, it will dwindle away. We need to get the castaways that Ohio State and Michigan leave. Our recruiting has to improve dramaticly period. Not only in quality, but actual sales, closing the deal. We have to do a much better job in coaching up what we have as we have failed in that badly. See KState, Boise State. They do not get the top kids, but they make them sound players with a chip on their shoulder. We seem to recruit better kids, but less drive, killer instinct. Of course there are exceptions, but overall we are not doing as well with our recruits as other out of the bubble programs
For those that think the 90's will return, you need to forget about it. Not happening. Coming to the Big made our life easier this year for sure, the Big 12 would have killed us this year.
Recruiting, talent, coaching, we are at best in third place in every aspect, some parts much lower.