I disagree. Look at Texas for example. Everyone talks about it being the MECCA of College Football all of a sudden.
It wasn't in the 90's, and Tennessee was just as relevant if not moreso than Miami in the 90's. Both programs have had some success and lengthy downturns since 2000.
It's all relative in terms of tradition and recent performance trends. Both have tradition, and both have been down a bit in their respective conferences. Therefore, they are relatively equals. Miami's recruiting class is in much worse shape than our own.