That's not to say USU is wallowing in money. Athletic department budgets on the FBS level can range from $125 million down to $10 million. The Aggies hover near the latter. At the same time, a student referendum is now sending an additional $2.1 million in funding toward athletics.

"This sort of award is confirmation that their decision is important and that we do well with what he have," said Barnes.

Of course, so do a lot of schools at the non-elite level. All of the 10 most efficient athletic departments were from non-BCS conferences, as were 17 of the top 25.

"I think in our industry, people are forever trying to keep up with the Joneses," said Barnes, calling rampant athletic spending "an arms race."

He said his goal of increasing the Big Blue scholarship fund by 100 percent in four years and an expected rise in football attendance — USU hired a new coach last winter — plus other fundraisers should be a major help.

His plan is to keep USU a lean, mean championship-winning machine.

"As budget cutting measures take place all over the country ... it bodes well for us, because in essence, it closes the gap," said Barnes. "Everyone thinks about what universities are doing to cut expenses. Those are things we didn't have to begin with."

In a weak economy, winning a title in frugality might be the sweetest title of all.

E-MAIL: rock@desnews.com