Question: What’s the formula for success in the NIL era?

[Redwood Forrest]

I just heard a great analysis of the transfer portal, and NIL too, I think. Team A is looking for a RB, say, and they are going down the list asking, "can we afford this one?" Which is the best RB we can buy?

 

[TideRollsInPa]

Pay and keep the best OL, DL and QB money can buy. The rest...3 stars.

 

[Power Eye]

I don't think there is a formula now. It's just a matter of time before college football is just the NFL with younger player. Not to be gloom and doom, but we are near the end of the sport we all love. The current system cannot sustain itself.

You're right. There is no current formula for success. At one point, I thought that the formula was stay on top and win so that players don't want to leave, but at this point I don't think there is anything a program can do other than winning and paying players a premium, and even then I don't think that necessarily works because only 22 players can be starters, so even schools like Texas, OSU, etc. will reach a saturation point with players. No one is immune at this point.

Playoff teams have an advantage because most players that are considering transferring aren't going to until the season is over, and I think playoff team players will only have a few days to decide since most of the playoff field's season won't be over until after the portal closes, but they will lose players as well, and not just backups.

This will change, because it is ruining the sport and I haven't heard anyone provide any level of support for the current structure, or lack thereof. Unfortunately, it hasn't changed fast enough. Eventually, it will impact viewership and the money the sport generates. The cynic in me, or the optimist depending on how you look at it, thinks that no one has done anything to fix this over the last three years because they wanted to see how this would play out and address it in a meaningful way and not just patchwork the problems.