While what you describe is possible, I really don't think anyone thinks it's at all likely? For example, I would happily give you 10:1 odds against (a) the decision of the electoral college is not what we expected because of faithless electors and then (b) that decision stands.
Obviously I don't think it's likely, but that's not really the point. I literally laughed out loud when I read in the local news earlier today that the president of my country "congratulated Biden with his victory". (AFAIK, he is not some outlier, many of them did, but unfortunately I couldn't find a full list). I mean, we all know that's not how it's formally done, and we all know how important formality always used to be to these folks. With such vigor they should've just appointed Biden the new PotUSA months ago based on some CNN polls and be done with it. Trump would obviously protest, but he is protesting now, so what's the difference?
> we all know that's not how it's formally done, and we all know how important formality always used to be to these folks
But it is how it's been done, for decades. Winning a majority of the electors has been considered winning the presidency for a really long time. For example, from November 9th 1988: https://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/107377
The electoral college is vestigial, and if it voted in a way different from how its electors had been chosen that would widely be considered stealing the election.
That's because until now, there hasn't been someone who's going to exploit every rule they can, and bribe where it's legal, to stay in power. Stealing the election is perfectly acceptable to the incumbent.
The best way to keep that from happening, though, is emphasis on how the real election is the election for the electors.
Recounts and court challenges are fine, as long as they keep the discussion about making sure that the chosen electors actually represent how people voted. If we start seeing any push to appoint different electors or claims that it would be legitimate for electors to vote a different way, however, we need to pay attention and push back hard.
