Has parity arrived in college football? Transfer portal, NIL money credited for tighter games
October 22, 2025
The transfer portal and NIL money have helped level the playing field across college football. The result is the type of parity that makes the NFL must-see TV with the competition tighter than ever, especially in the Power Four conferences. In the Southeastern Conference, the average margin of victory is just 10.0 points per game. That is on pace to be the lowest for any power conference since at least 2000. Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea says he feels like he’s coaching in the NFL now.