The funny thing is, even with talent being spread out, due to some staffs being better at talent evaluation than others(i.e. OSU), the same teams will continue to be the elite teams in CFB. In the past CFP there were 12 teams, and Boise St, IU, SMU and ASU were the only teams who'd be considered mid majors who made it, so almost 70% of the teams in the playoff were teams with classic CFB pasts and massive followings. Even with NIL, I only see that number being the cap. 3-4 teams in CFP as mid majors, and most will lose their first game. Sorry but I just don't see a Big 12 team beating Ped St in Happy Valley, or in Athens, GA or The Shoe. Football is too physical, its not like basketball where a team can get hot from 3.
And what gets forgotten is, the kids being talked about so much for what they're earning are usually the incoming freshman. And for anyone that's followed CFB, those players usually make the least impact on the field. Because they're kids who were literally living at home with their parents barely a year before they play their first CFB game. So expecting a true frosh to lead your team from the start is ridiculous, but because these teams payed so much money, these collectives expect an immediate return. Miami fans are already angry at Justin Scott and Marquise Lightfoot(2 guys who were once favored to OSU) for not being in the 2 deep, and barely playing as true frosh! If you're stockpiling your team with high priced under classmen, that's a recipe for disaster, due to immaturity and not being physically ready for the step up in competition. And the pressure only ramps up for their 2nd seasons. There won't be much patience for Bryce Underwood, or any of the high priced frosh that will be at USC in a year. USC is expected to win the B1G in no less than 2-3yrs. That's a tall task when you're relying on 18yos to be your best players and leaders.
Its literally generational money for some families. I know of several families, who the collegiate athlete has been able to retire his(and even her) parents.