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College Football NIL Roster Value vs. Results, 2026

College Football Charts
Data updatedOct 31, 2026

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Money vs. results

SP+ overall (up) against Roster value (log scale) (across). 70 teams with data.

Up and right are always better: metrics where lower is better (like ranks or points allowed) run in reverse. Dashed lines are the averages of the teams shown; the solid line is the trend, what a team usually gets on the up axis for its spot across. The gray band is a normal miss: everything within 6.5 pts of the line, the size of a typical team's miss. Teams inside the band are doing about what the line expects; teams outside it are the real over- and underperformers. Tap or click a team to open it in Head to head.

What this shows

Does spending buy results? Each team's NIL roster value against its SP+. The line is what a given payroll usually buys.

There is a moderate relationship here (r = +0.66; r runs from −1 to +1, and positive means the two go together): teams higher on Roster value tend to be better on SP+ overall. Roster value accounts for about 43% of the differences in SP+ overall across the 70 teams shown.

47 of 70 teams (67%) land inside the gray band, within 6.5 pts of the line: they're doing about what you'd expect. 13 are clearly above it and 10 clearly below; those are the real over- and underperformers.

Best value for the money: Georgia (+12.2 pts), Oregon State (+11.5 pts), Arizona (+10.9 pts). Worst value for the money: Stanford (−13.5 pts), Michigan State (−12.7 pts), California (−12.4 pts).

SEC: 1 clearly above the line, 12 inside the gray band, 3 clearly below (average −1.0 pts). Best: Georgia (+12.2 pts). Worst: Vanderbilt (−11.3 pts).

Big 12: 3 clearly above the line, 11 inside the gray band, 2 clearly below (average +1.4 pts). Best: Arizona (+10.9 pts). Worst: Colorado (−11.0 pts).

Where the data comes from. SP+ overall: SP+ by Bill Connelly (CFB Update), last pulled Oct 27, 2026. Roster value: The NIL Standard, preseason estimates.

Best value for the money

  1. Georgia +12.2 pts vs. trend
  2. Oregon State +11.5 pts vs. trend
  3. Arizona +10.9 pts vs. trend
  4. Utah +10.6 pts vs. trend
  5. Ohio State +9.5 pts vs. trend
  6. BYU +9.4 pts vs. trend

Worst value for the money

  1. Stanford −13.5 pts vs. trend
  2. Michigan State −12.7 pts vs. trend
  3. California −12.4 pts vs. trend
  4. Vanderbilt −11.3 pts vs. trend
  5. Rutgers −11.1 pts vs. trend
  6. Colorado −11.0 pts vs. trend

About the stats on this chart

What is roster value?

Estimated NIL market value of the whole roster, from The NIL Standard. Independent estimates, not reported deals. More money isn't marked better.

Why does roster value matter?

Roster value is the money side of the talent story. It tells you what a team paid for, not what it's getting.

Where does the roster value data come from?

From The NIL Standard, preseason estimates.

What is SP+ overall?

Bill Connelly's opponent-adjusted efficiency rating. Points better than an average FBS team on a neutral field. Higher is better.

Why does SP+ overall matter?

It's the best single number for how good a team is right now, schedule and all. If you only look at one rating, look at this one.

Where does the SP+ overall data come from?

From SP+ by Bill Connelly (CFB Update), last pulled Oct 27, 2026.