Quote:The players aren’t being paid, but college football programs are multi-million dollar businesses with costs and profits. Those with more to spend conceivably have more rewards to reap. And in their world, there’s no greater reward than the National Championship. With the season set to kick off this month, the time is right to pose -- and answer -- this question: Which schools do it best?

At ValuePenguin, we studied the success and annual spending of 125 programs over a ten-year period, from 2004 to 2013. We used this data to determine what the title game can’t: which programs are having the most success while also considering their budget -- big, small or somewhere in between. More on our methodology below. For now, see where your alma mater (and your rival) ranked.

Quote:2. University of Cincinnati

Known in some circles as more of a basketball school, Cincinnati excelled in football in recent years and without breaking the bank. In fact, the Bearcats ascened to No. 8 in the national rankings in 2009, the third and final year of head coach Brian Kelly's tenure there. In Kelly's program-revitalizing reign, the school spent an average of more than $13 million per year on expenses. Kelly left in 2010, but his former colleagues overcame his departure: After a disappointing four-win campaign in '10, Cincinnati went 29-10 over the ensuing three years. The program stayed consistent with changing leadership: Mark Dantonio (Michigan State), Kelly (Notre Dame) and Butch Jones (Tennessee) all left for greener pastures in recent years after spending three seasons on the sideline. Will Tommy Tuberville, entering his third campaign in '15, be next to depart?

(08-20-2015 10:11 AM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  

Quote:2. University of Cincinnati

Known in some circles as more of a basketball school, Cincinnati excelled in football in recent years and without breaking the bank. In fact, the Bearcats ascened to No. 8 in the national rankings in 2009, the third and final year of head coach Brian Kelly's tenure there. In Kelly's program-revitalizing reign, the school spent an average of more than $13 million per year on expenses. Kelly left in 2010, but his former colleagues overcame his departure: After a disappointing four-win campaign in '10, Cincinnati went 29-10 over the ensuing three years. The program stayed consistent with changing leadership: Mark Dantonio (Michigan State), Kelly (Notre Dame) and Butch Jones (Tennessee) all left for greener pastures in recent years after spending three seasons on the sideline. Will Tommy Tuberville, entering his third campaign in '15, be next to depart?

While UC may not have any first round draft picks, the Bearcats currently have a number of highly regarded and successful alumni in the NFL including Conner Barwin, Trent Cole, and Brent Celek. At one point, the Eagles in particular were drafting a lot of UC talent, though that seems to have come to an end with Chip Kelly.

And, FWIW, I can't see Tuberville leaving (barring his team collapsing and being forced into retirement) anytime soon. All indications are that this is going to be his terminal call and his next stop would be retirement.

(08-20-2015 10:06 AM)Stay Cool Wrote:  NIU making magic outta pennies