There is a gap that ND needs to close with the top 5 programs (Bama, OSU, Clemson, UGA, OU) which will likely require a 3-4 years of sustained success (stringing together 10-12 win seasons) to boost recruiting and/or a new head coach. Oregon (2008-14) and Clemson (2011-18) and the type of stretches that come to mind.

There is no: Tee Higgins, Amari Rogers, Justin Ross, Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne, Clelin Ferrell, Christian Wilkins, Austin Bryant, or Dexter Lawrence's in this class. No Tua Tagovailoa, Jerry Juedy, or Najee Harris.

There are NO skill difference makers on Offense or the D-line.
There's not even a Dexter Williams.

It's a good class; but a 10-2 class. I'm not even sure it's a playoff class.

He simply gets outworked by other schools.

Nothing against the kids we brought in. K. Williams may turn out to be a nice player.

The issue remains that he continues to have talent gaps between classes at various positions. You cannot do that. Creating tough practices through competition is crucial to your depth chart.

The gap was at receiver

Or, the importance of bringing in elite players every cycle to keep the gap small between starter and 2 deep.

Dexter was great last year. I wouldn't disagree with your opinion.

Very good in senior bowl practice as well.

As might KAR. But I agree lacking difference makers.That’s two years in a row with misses at RB.

Clemson's class has 1 five star recruit to ND's 0 this year. ND has more 4 stars and Clemson has a boatload of 3 stars, with the numbers bringing their class higher.

Their recruiting has been around this level during their ascent to the pinnacle of college football.

I think the larger difference starts after the kids are on campus.

I don't think ND's recruiting is very good but not elite. I think their offensive coaching is well south of elite.

They're capable of making a run if everything falls into place: low injury rate, favorable schedule, USC & Stanford having down years, good luck in a close game or two. I don't think they can beat a good team that sees them coming.

Michigan in 2018 & USC in 2017 are the 2 most recent examples.
I would change that to say "I don't think they can beat teams coached by Dabo/Saban/Urban when they see them coming."

USC is coached by an idiot.

They really haven't had recruiting like Alabama or OSU. Their five year recruiting composite is right with us, actually. The difference is that each year they get 1-2 guys, typically in the front seven, who are truly elite. The difference is only a few players, but 3-5 truly elite players means everything when the other 80 or so are equal.

Plus Dabo is just a better coach than BK ever will be.