Editor's note: This is the first in an occasional series on finances and in-state colleges athletics
DENTON -- One could argue the two most important things in college football are money and recruiting, especially in a state like Texas.
A larger recruiting budget can yield better players who produce more wins, which creates more disposable revenue. The cycle repeats until coaches become millionaires and football teams become an economic driving force for a university.
But not all spending accounts are created equal. Texas A&M, an SEC school that used $1.2 million on recruiting during the 2016-17 school year, sits at the high end of the spectrum.