Years ago one of our alumnae, a journalist, went off to the big city because she wanted to work with "the big boys." She left after a few years and told me that she had discovered, "The only difference between the big boys and the small boys, is their budgets."
I see this all of the time. I have met rather unimpressive MDs, scientists, and others from Ivy League schools, and I have met impressive people from McNeese, Nicholls, and even LSUE. You have to pay attention, and use your own judgement, or you'll miss things.
Those at the 'top' of the world live in a self-congratulatory echo chamber. Because they have more money, they are not only ignorant, but arrogant. Dangerous combination.
The reason I bring all this up, is I am watching how so many mid-majors (particularly in the 'Belt) are pulling off nail-biters against the P5, including quite a few upsets.
So I am wondering how much the portal is accomplishing the reverse of what the presidents, ADs, coaches, and wealthy alumni who run big-time college sports were absolutely sure that it would. How many talented players tire of polishing the pines because the coach is too ignorant & arrogant to evaluate and retain talent. So they jump through the portal to a 'smaller' school where they can play right away.
I also wonder if NIL runs off some players. You have a handful of players on the team who are pulling down major paydays, perhaps even flaunting their wealth, and maybe not even bothering to go to class. What does that do to team unity? Do those big-money players tend to run off players who don't need the money, and who are working their butts off because they want a real education, and because they love the game?
One thing's for sure: something's going on. Because we are seeing a lot more parity than we did in the past.