Is this a 'down' year for college football?

seems a lot of the teams you typically expect to be strong and in the race aren't (Oklahoma, Ohio State, Tennessee, Georgia, etc).. and even when you don't see all those up there you end up with suprises but even this year the non-bcs teams are few and far between (Boise St is basically it.. Utah ain't even stout).. so is it a 'down' year? if so, why? is it NFL attrition (were several Juniors left last year), bunch of new coaches, less talent than in previous years?