I think we had about 7 teams that were competitive with the other 6, and any could win a given game with a near 50-50 shot. I include a healthy FSU in that. Obviously, Mizzou et al. could win, but with lower likelihood.
It ends up, as usual, being a crap shoot as to who actually prevails.
I think the 12 team scheme will end up being not very satiifying in many years.