Well, isn't there a level of truth to it?
If the SEC can recruit "Students" with extensive criminal records and poor academic aptitude, do you really think its a level playing field in College Football?
As much darn Edsall has been lobbed since leaving unceremoniously, he's dead-on accurate. The only way to overcome this is by bringing in the right coach like Harbaugh in the right academic institution and recruit the right players with work until amazing things begin to happen.
Harbaugh was successful because Stanford not only has a brand name, they're also in the right conference.