They do recruit better than us, but not nearly to the level of UGA or Auburn.
Additionally, there has likely been a good bit of attrition since the number 9 & 5 classes.
Lastly, MSU has the better coach & more experienced, better QB.
I think A&M's OL is more talented than MSU's & A&M has a few more play makers on the outside, but, outside of that, I could argue that MSU is better at every other position on the field.
I don't have proof of this, but I believe there is a big difference in being a top 8-13 recruiter & being a top 5 recruiter. There are only so many elite players out there & once you get past Bama, UGA, Ohio State, LSU, Auburn, Florida State, & Clemson, college football talent levels really start to flatten out considering you can only play 11 players at a time.