Working against a deadline cripples ES games in the end, in oblivion it was the same if you had your high level char fight the last arena battle against that Orc Prince who never got beyond level 13. It would take a level 30 character to 1-hit kill the poor Orc.
Alduin is less powerful than some other bosses ... so you blame it on the deadline?
I'd say it's more of a need to add more levels to Alduin, rather than throwing out the "he was going to be powerful but deadline!" response that is used so flippantly on the forum.