While Saban retiring caused ripples, I believe we're seeing exactly what TPTB wanted via the combination of the xfer portal and the faux NIL - a gutting of the elites to even out the overall landscape. Yes, the bluebloods will remain bluebloods, but when your second-string recruits leave for a payout rather than staying to learn the system and develop relationships (both on and off the field) with the team, you end up with what we saw this year.
Reminder: the NCAA is empowered and decisions are made by the ~1,100 schools that are participants. The bluebloods make up a tiny fraction of the membership. The have-nots want a piece of the pie and that's one of the main reasons that:
1- nothing has been done to address the xfer portal and rampant cheating via NIL, and
2- the premier athletic programs need to create their own league. I've been banging this drum for about two decades as it's obvious that the leadership of the NCAA doesn't make decisions based on what's good for the sport, but rather what's good for the average school (~80% of which are not DI (FBS/FCS) but rather DII or DIII).
We're seeing the beginning of the 'NFL-ification' of FBS football because, whether planned or 'happy accident', TPTB are seeing the elite teams knocked down a few notches while the mediocre teams are rising up.
I don't think we'll see an elite team by the standards of say, 2022 (and before) in the near future, or maybe ever again. Every year one or two teams will rise up and do well - that will perhaps last a few seasons, then they will slink back into the upper-echelon.