I don’t have the time at the moment, but I am curious to see what the numbers from last season would say IF the divisions had been North and South like Tempt suggests here. I know some of the matchups did not happen based on the schedule, but maybe look over the course of a 2-3 years. But it does appear the recruiting numbers balance out more.
Perspective can be a funny thing. If you root for a team in the East, you likely have no issues in the realignment. If you root for a team in the West, it gets a lot tougher. As an IU fan, injuries and depth hurt them. But the way the schedule set up, it was a bear of a schedule. Penn State, Michigan State, ohio state, and Michigan is a really tough stretch to get through. I will add it is made even more difficult when each of those teams is a factor in the National rankings and potential playoff spot at the time IU played each of them.
I will add, there is the eye test. The East was just better. osu has been a consistent contender, and Michigan was just that much better this season.