Daboer is a great coach. I really really like him. Remember, Nebraska didn't fall off the face of the earth immediately. They went down to 10-3 on the reg under solich and then fired him, then went down to like 8-5 under the next guy before they really bottomoed out. I see Daboer winning 10 games for them and losing in the first round of the playoffs and not being competitive for the SEC title for 3 years, the yokels getting agitated about it and him deciding to move on to somewhere he will be appreciated, before they settle into an 8-4 type existence for a long time.
You are right about the talent area in their area being helpful. Just like OU. But ultimately they are behind Texas, Oregon, Ohio State, (maybe Michigan- depending upon if their sugar daddy stays interested), probably Tech, aggy, Florida, Georgia, maybe the Domers and maybe a couple others in ability to pay.
Saban won a rigged game that 6 or 8 schools competed in and there is nothing fucking compelling about going to tuscalusa if the check isn't biggest and you don't have Saban running an nfl boot camp. They are basically just Auburn now with better history.