Cincinnati Bearcats Football Named Forbes’ Most Cost Efficient Team

Dec 5, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendon Kay (11) throws a pass during the second quarter against the Louisville Cardinals at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Cincinnati Bearcats finished third in the AAC but were Forbes’ #1 program in providing the most bang for the buck. The mantra of UC football since the Brian Kelly era was that this program did more with less, winning several Big East Championships and earning 10-win seasons despite a budget near the bottom of the FBS. They did it without a separate practice field for the football team most of the time and with a smallish stadium that boasted just a few luxury seats.

Yet the Bearcats won anyways, boasting a 66-24 record since 2007. And Forbes has praised UC thusly.

"The Bearcats have ended Kansas State’s two-year reign as college football’s most cost efficient team. Only 12 teams have won more games than Cincinnati over the last three seasons; only four college football teams spent less than the Bearcats."

Their methodology is simple. Forbes ranked every program by the amount they spent for each win the team accounted for over the last three years. The Bearcats spent roughly $40.2 million on football during that span, equating to about $1.46 million per win, the best in the country!

Now those are some accolades Cincinnati can hang its hat on.