By far, the most important changes that can be implemented in this situation is instituting spending controls. Spending controls are the most critical for three main reasons:
1.) It would break the link between revenue & expenditures, and prevent athletic program budgets from ballooning out of control. Halting cost growth eases the financial pressure on schools that aren’t at the very top of the revenue generating pyramid.
2.) It would limit the amount of resources available to one particular team, therefore making resource allocation more even across the board. Even if a program experiences a financial setback, they will still be able to support their teams at a reduced level of investment, instead of eliminating them.
3.) It will encourage savings, and athletic depts. will be able to build up meaningful reserve funds, instead of squandering it on short term priorities.
The biggest difference between Alabama & Akron, is not that Alabama can hoard 4 & 5 star talent, and Akron cannot. Even if you reduce scholarships, those players are not going to end up at Akron regardless. The biggest difference between the two programs is how much financial stress they are under, in order to field a football team. Akron is under so much duress, that eventually there is going to be no other option, but to board up, close shop, and get out of the football business. When that happens the entire fabric of the sport is beginning to fray. The way you determine integrity in the sport, is not by looking at what's occurring at the top. You determine it, by examining the bottom feeders. They are the ones that ultimately will determine whether CFB survives, or dies