Perhaps the BEST B1G Forum anywhere, here at College Football Fan Site, CFB51!!!

I don't know that these changes benefit most players.  You have this 85 man roster, often larger at home, and many never play a down.  Some get to play a few downs in a game, get sparing recognition, no NIL, take their lumps, some at least have scholarships but that hasn't changed.  They could portal, but then what?  To get PT they'd have to go to Ball State.

Some players obviously benefit financially, and can leap ship.  But some end up largely forgotten perhaps with lingering physical injuries.

I'm gonna watch my school and have fun doing it. Better to win than lose, of course.

I'm pro-entertainment. The not paying players was just legalized theft, and I'm glad it has gone away. It's not entertaining to know someone is getting bilked out of their money. I'm less convinced on the transfers - part of college sports is seeing your guys develop and grow. College basketball is almost like everyone picks teams at the start of the year, which isn't particularly entertaining.

Portal swings both ways.  Some players didn't do squat at their original school, they make something of themselves at the next stop.  Some players find that they just needed a smaller program from the get go, some matured in 2-3 years and going to "the next CFB Level" is a good move for them.  A guy at say, New Mexico, now has the opportunity to go to an Alabama or OU when they never even gave him a look out of High School.  He then gets to show his stuff on a larger stage, get more attention, better chances in the NFL, and probably better coaching, nutrition, strength conditioning, etc. 

In order to even the playing field I'd propose two things. 

#1- Limit the number of scholarship players from 85 down to maybe 75.  I know that it's tough having the necessary depth etc but the NFL does it with 55.  Obviously there are differences like trading players mid-season and promoting players from practice squads.  But if all teams have a cap of 75 or so, they all have the same limit.  The better teams will have to take less players, and the bubble 3/4* players will be pushed to the 2nd tier programs like Wisconsin, A&M, oSu, and such. 

#2- Make eligibility 5 years.  It's been said a lot that a college degree really takes 5 years.  My thought on it is that the smaller schools with less talent would benefit from players who aren't likely to turn pro, and there are a lot of really great CFB players who won't do squat in the NFL.  And if we're really moving away from the amateur model, who really gives a shit how long these guys play?  I say give em 5 years, no medical redshirts etc.  5 years from the first day they strap on pads or start practice. 

Obviously the #1 and #2 things interfere with each other because now they will be forced to sign less players per season, but each team should be affected equally.  Plus, there is always the portal to fill gaps. 

I also think there should be some kind of incentive for players who don't transfer.  Say the NCAA awards $XX,XXX dollars to athletes who finish their full 5 years at the same school. 

I've often thought that smaller schools like KSU, oSu, etc would greatly benefit from having those special players stay for that 5th year.  Players like Collin Klein who won't ever make waves in the NFL but are just great college FB players. 

bolded part - that's a great idea. NCAA/schools should award players who finish their degrees- incentivize them to get a degree. great idea.

My concern is that I doubt that CFB can sustain itself with only fans of UGA, Bama, tOSU, M, and a few other schools that can actually compete once all the fans of PU, MSU and the rest of the non-helmets go the way of @betarhoalphadelta and @ELA and either drop out or decide that the NFL and the MLB playoffs are more important.