re: Is there something about the place or is it just the players that makes for wins

Nick would have UK a good team. Winning national championships, SEC titles, probably not. Part of it is the culture. His recruiting classes wouldn't be as good, and like Stoops there now, Franklin at Vandy etc...he would move on for more money to an easier place to recruit and that puts more emphasis on football. The Bill Snyders of the world are hard to find.

Demographics play a part as well. How long have the 3 Florida schools been good historically.
Dems can also hurt areas. Look at the Big 10, declining population base, etc. As well as individual teams...UT and OM were fantastic when only a certain percentage of their states pop. base were allowed to attend the SEC schools.