in recent years I could be wrong but kinda think players take every game more seriously even if their team doesn't have anything much bigger play for. Continuing to play well could possibly land a player a transfer to a bigger and better school with more resources and NIL money.

There's a phenomenon in the pros that's known as "The Contract Phenomenon" which is..

"The Contract Year Phenomenon refers to the statistical inconsistency in which players perform at much higher levels during the final year of their contract than they previously have, but return to original form once they sign their new (and usually larger) contract."

There's plenty more reasons in my mind for teams and players to continue play well even if there's not something bigger at play.