Aspirationally, I'm right there with you, and financially if TV money could go directly to recruits (rather than via NIL collectives), the above seems more viable.
I just don't think money alone will get us to the levels above. Partially, yes. And I also think that 'one of the worst P2 schools' means a ranking still far below 25-30. The P2 alone will be 34 members next year, and I think that several teams (at least) at the top of the non-P2 will be ranked every year, if for no other reason that somebody has to win those leagues and therefore will have good win / loss records. So Illinois would be lucky to be ranked 40-ish, even in the best light of the above. Granted, and to your point, this would be much better than today.
If much of this is seemingly pessimistic and just in my head, then
mea culpa. But I do believe that 99% of the college football world does think of Illinois as an undesirable program (like the Nebraska recruit who de-committed last week). You can make other inroads with money alone - like fixing the south end of the stadium (shout out
@Fighter of the Nightman ), but that infrastructure change will just get an attendance and energy boost for the re-dedication game and a few after. You need winning to engage fans, this seems obvious to me. I do not find it short-sighted or lazy, all the marketing in the world will not generate interest in a losing program.
And this administration, including both the athletic department and the university leadership, is the most sports-friendly administration Illinois has had in 30-40 years. That's a low bar though, I suppose.
Good debate, anyway, and thanks to all for the thoughtful responses!