You win with players. I've never seen a head coach throw a game winning touchdown pass yet. 60 years since the Gophers were conference champions. Numerous coaches, but always lacking in surper star talent.
https://247sports.com/recruitment/emmett-johnson-139011/recruitinterests/
His only Power 5 offer was from NE. Everyone missed on him. More power to him, for proving schools wrong.
Alabama vs Texas, USC vs Michigan is now a conf game that could happen every other yr. Fans want to see those big games. Before, they'd only meet in a bowl game. I believe ratings are up for thoses types of games.
You need an alumni with tons of money, like Mark Cuban, and willing to donate to NIL. Not every school has that. MN, Bucky and Iowa, haven't found that person.
The also-rans would be hurting for money. ESPN and all the other networks, will pay much more for Blue Blood games. Therefore Blue Bloods will pay more money to players.
I'd still cheer for the Gophers and watch them, but not sure if I'd watch too many games with teams in the same league as the Gophers. I don't watch MAC, Amamican, or Sun Belt conf games now. I still watch the Blue Bloods
Schools need more money. MN wants money to build a new basketball arena. They can't afford to now, because they have to pay the players $25-$35 million per year.