A new report reveals how much Penn State football spends, and where it ranks relative to the rest of the Big Ten.
Per the Athletic, which ranked every FBS program based on an average of several reported budget projections, Penn State is ranked No. 22 in the country and No. 7 in the Big Ten, spending roughly $30 million on this year’s roster.
Ohio State tops the conference and country, spending between $49 and $54 million.
Another Big Ten program, Oregon, is No. 2 at $48-$54 million. Those are the only Big Ten programs ranked in the top 10. But USC isn’t far behind at No. 12, spending $37-40 million.
Defending national champion Indiana is right behind USC at No. 13, spending $36-40 million.
Michigan follows the line at No. 14, also spending $36-40 million. The next Big Ten program is Nebraska, spending $31-35 million.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Behind Penn State but in the top 25 are Wisconsin ($27-31 million) and UCLA ($26-30 million).
It shouldn’t be a surprise that Ohio State and Oregon are on top. Ohio State has been the Big Ten’s king for most of the millennium. Oregon won the conference in its first season after coming over from the Pac-12 two years ago, and made it to the College Football Playoff semifinal last season.
USC spending more than PSU makes sense because of the program’s tradition and the LA market. Indiana is the new Indiana and is aided by the largest living alumni network in America, which includes Mark Cuban. Michigan has the No. 3 alumni network (Penn State is No. 2) and also paid Bryce Underwood $12 million out of high school.
Nebraska spends more than Penn State, but frankly hasn’t been an elite program in a quarter century.
Penn State takes on Buffalo Saturday, Sept. 19 at Beaver Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for noon on the Big Ten Network.
