Yes, they give fans something to talk about, but, that is all.  The driving force behind recruiting services isn't to get the ranking rights, it's to make money.  I don't doubt there are honest evaluators of talent, but if they were REALLY that good at it, they would be on a college staff, not sniffing jocks.  If Mel Kiper Jr were so good at evaluating players, don't you think an NFL team would want to hire him?  Ultimately, if my coach wants a player, then I want the player, regardless of his stars.

I've earnestly followed Utah recruiting for the past 10 years, and anyone who doesn't think Utah's recruiting has jumped by leaps and bounds over that time has their head in the sand.  

I haven't followed BYU recruiting a bit, but anyone who thinks BYU hasn't out recruited the likes of Kansas just doesn't follow football.

The other side of the coin is-getting people who fit your system.  Bronco and Anae seemed to do a pretty good job with that.  Now, BYU is changing both systems and needs to fit the personnel to them. That will take time.  Utah is doing the same thing with skill positions on the offense, but fortunately, their O-line was already built for the spread so it isn't nearly as big a change.