Seventy college football teams are playing in bowls this season, and a federal database says those schools are each spending millions of dollars on the sport.

A database from the Department of Education shows that Ohio State and Alabama each spend more than $31 million on football and nine other teams spend $20 million plus.

The cheapest bowl-bound program is at Troy, which spends a shade over $5 million.

Schools defend the spending, saying that the revenue football brings in makes it a moneymaker that funds other sports programs. Critics respond that the huge outlay on student-athletes is a sign that schools' educational priorities are out of whack.

The top 10 spenders:

1. Ohio State, $31,763,036

2. Alabama, $31,118,134

3. Notre Dame, $29,490,788

4. Auburn, $27,911,713

5. LSU, $25,566,520

6. Florida, $24,457,557

7. South Carolina, $22,794,211

8. Wisconsin, $22,041,491

9. Arkansas $22,005,014

10. TCU, $20,609,361

Note: University of Texas spent $25.1 million but did not make a bowl game this season.

- THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," we look at East Islip baseball's inspirational comeback story, Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week and Tess Ferguson breaks down the top defensive players in girls lacrosse. 

Sarra Sounds Off Ep. 35: EI baseball, girls lacrosse and plays of the week On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," we look at East Islip baseball's inspirational comeback story, Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week and Tess Ferguson breaks down the top defensive players in girls lacrosse.

On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," we look at East Islip baseball's inspirational comeback story, Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week and Tess Ferguson breaks down the top defensive players in girls lacrosse. 

Sarra Sounds Off Ep. 35: EI baseball, girls lacrosse and plays of the week On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," we look at East Islip baseball's inspirational comeback story, Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week and Tess Ferguson breaks down the top defensive players in girls lacrosse.

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