CBS Sports recently published a comprehensive analysis of the most expensive rosters in college football, revealing the top 12 teams with rosters valued at $40 million or more.

Among the teams that made the list, six hail from the Southeastern Conference (SEC), including LSU, Texas, Texas A&M, Georgia, Ole Miss, and Tennessee. The Big Ten Conference is also well-represented, with four teams making the cut: Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan, and USC. The ACC and an independent program, Notre Dame, round out the top 12.

However, there are some notable exclusions from the list, including the defending national champions, Alabama. The Crimson Tide, under the leadership of coach Nick Saban, have long been a dominant force in college football, but their spending habits have been relatively conservative compared to their rivals.

Alabama’s Roster: A More Frugal Approach

According to sources, Alabama’s roster for the 2026 season is valued at around $19.7 million, a figure that pales in comparison to some of their SEC counterparts. This frugal approach has allowed the Crimson Tide to succeed in spite of a smaller budget, but it also means they’re not among the biggest spenders in the sport.

One notable exception to this trend is the winter transfer portal, where Alabama landed North Carolina State transfer running back Hollywood Smothers. However, Smothers ultimately flipped to the Texas Longhorns, a move that highlighted the Crimson Tide’s limited spending power in the portal.

Alabama’s priorities have shifted towards high school recruiting, with the team signing the SEC’s 9th-best transfer class in 2026. This approach has yielded some promising young talent, including former five-star quarterback Keelon Russell, who is expected to compete for the starting job.

Texas Tech’s Roster: A High-Profile Exclusion

Texas Tech, on the other hand, is a program that’s made headlines for its aggressive spending in the transfer portal. Despite being a major player in the NIL era, the Red Raiders didn’t make the cut for the top 12 spenders.

According to sources, Texas Tech’s roster for 2026 is valued at around $30 million, a figure that would have put them on the cusp of the top 12 if not for the salary of Brendan Sorsby, a key player who earned a $5-million-plus salary. Even without Sorsby’s salary, the Red Raiders are comfortably atop the Big 12 for 2026, with a roster that’s poised to compete for conference titles.

Texas Tech’s commitment to spending on its roster is unwavering, with the program always looking to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the transfer portal. Their 2027 class, headlined by the nation’s No. 1 defensive lineman Jalen Brewster, is shaping up to be one of the best in the country.

Indiana’s Roster: A Shift in Spending Habits

Indiana’s 16-0 national championship-winning season in 2025 was a testament to the team’s ability to succeed despite relatively modest spending on its roster. However, the Hoosiers have since increased their investment in the transfer portal, signing one of the most expensive portal quarterbacks in Josh Hoover from TCU.

Indiana’s approach to roster building has also shifted, with the team prioritizing a more selective approach to the transfer portal. This has resulted in a transfer class that ranked eighth nationally, despite including only 17 transfers, a figure that’s significantly lower than in previous years.

The Hoosiers’ roster for 2026 is valued at around $30 million, a figure that puts them among the top spenders in the sport. However, it’s still not enough to crack the top 12 highest-paid teams in college football.