Without the depth, full of players recruited from HS, they would not be 12-0.
Teams need depth to be competitive (Getting to about 8 wins). The portal can push teams that would otherwise be 8/9 win teams to 11/12 win teams. Like FSU.
A 4 win team built solely off the portal is not going to become a 8/9 win team just by hitting the portal up. Plus they got to make up for guys they lose in the portal too.
The portal is great when used right, and is a must in today's college football landscape, but it has its limits.
Continuity is the biggest factor. Especially in the locker room.
This season showed that because most of the roster was transfers, there were too many sub groups.
You had the black players vs white players
the jackson st./players who knew Prime before Colorado
you had the Colorado hold overs from last year
you had the Kent St players that came over
you and the florida st players that came over
then you had the freshman
And of course the coaches. You had the coaches Prime brought with him and the new coaches he brough it.
This was definitely a toxic environment. Even when they were winning, you could tell this wasn't a real team. Shedeur looked like he did have any relationship with any of the offensive linemen.
And of course Prime has his favorites. He gave McClain #1 even though he didn't earn it.
The problem with the portal, is you have to wait for players to enter so you don't really know what you're getting. You time to evaluate players is too short. Which is why they got a lot of duds with this first batch.
If they're getting 4th or 5th year seniors, then I don't think they're going to pan out. They need to be looking for freshman or sophomores entering.