Colorado football doesn't have the deepest pockets in the country. In the NIL era, powerhouses from the Midwest like Ohio State, Michigan, and Notre Dame, plus Nike-backed Oregon on the west coast, have been leaving the rest in the dust.
On SI's Mark McIntosh believes that Coach Prime has been a net positive in Boulder, but the Buffs will continue to struggle to keep up with the prevalence of NIL collectives.
"In other words, all schools benefit from House and television revenues but it’s not going to eliminate the sobering reality some schools have financial heavyweights with unlimited wealth. We know money talks," McIntosh wrote.
"The Litchard memorial service CU source shrugged shoulders in acknowledging the influence of collectives. It hurts less for the Buffs considering a growing national presence since Coach Prime arrived at the foot of the Flatirons.
"The Buffs might be currently okay but the waters ahead look choppy. Leaders of college football must figure out a way to reign in mega donors. Nike founder and Oregon booster Phil Knight - an example."
Deion Sanders arriving in Colorado brought record-revenue for the school and the city of Boulder, but recruiting comes down to institutional spending. It's nice to make money, but if a school doesn't have a mission to go all in on a national championship, it's all but certain not to happen.
Arizona State's season could be the best-case-scenario for the Buffs. Making the College Football Playoff and hanging with a financial powerhouse like Texas isn't a bad year. Strike that -- TCU's 2022 season may be the ceiling.
CU's fanbase would do anything to see that. But changes to the CFP will never benefit Colorado and the Big 12.
It's a pipe dream until CU's donors have a mindset shift and spend big on football. And if Coach Prime leaves for the NFL? Forget any of this.