Today, Post Investigations debuts Data Watch, an occasional look behind the numbers. We'll showcase interesting or unusual trends, from government contracting to corporate largesse. Have a tip for Data Watch? E-mail us.

By Gilbert M. Gaul
Washington Post Staff Writer

When Florida and Oklahoma meet in the Bowl Championship Series title game tonight, they not only will be battling for a national title but also for bragging rights as two of the biggest and richest football programs in the land.

If nothing else, the highly anticipated match-up confirms the old adage about the rich getting richer, as the schools collect millions in appearance fees to add to their already bulging coffers, a Washington Post analysis of federal educational reports and tax data show.

In 2007, the Florida Gator football program reported revenue of nearly $59 million, but expenses of just $38 million - a profit margin of 65 percent. That was more than twice the average of Fortune 500 oil and mining companies, and more than three times pharmaceutical companies, data show. At 49 percent, Oklahoma's profit margin was more than three times that of the financial services sector.

Football is the cash cow of College Sports, Inc., fueling ever-larger athletic programs and spending on athletes and coaches. Between 1999-2007 Florida's athletic program doubled in size, to $108 million, records show. It is one of only 3 schools to top $100 million. Oklahoma spent less but at $69 million still operates of the biggest athletic programs in nation.

More and more of that money is going to coaches. Both Florida's Urban Meyer and Oklahoma's Bob Stoops are paid more than $3 million, records and published reports show. Now, they can make hundreds of thousands of dollars more in bonuses for taking their teams to the final game.

Here are a few of the highlights:

» At almost $110 million, Ohio State runs the biggest athletic program in the land.
» On average, it costs Tennessee $185,858-per-athlete to run its athletic program.
» The biggest 50 athletic departments spent nearly $3.3 billion in 2007.
» Texas and Notre Dame collect more money from football than other top schools.

Get the full data after the jump: Top 10 Athletic Programs, Top 10 Football Programs, Top 50 Schools