📡 CECIL HURT: Time is right to discuss Alabama football schedule upgrade - TideSports.com

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CECIL HURT: Time is right to discuss Alabama football schedule upgrade
TideSports.com

Nothing — well, nothing except a quarterback’s finger/thumb/hand injury — so almost nothing sparks the fires of offseason football conversation more than scheduling speculation.

So The Tuscaloosa News’ exclusive report about Alabama speaking with other members of the elite all-time-wins club in college football, Notre Dame and Texas, about a possible home-and-home series with one, or perhaps both, ignited a fair share of conversation on social media, with its usual gamut of opinion ranging from intelligent musing to out-and-out trolling.

The time for such discussions has come.

Perhaps it should have come sooner, but the neutral-site model Alabama has used for most of the past decade has been competitively and financially successful and when you (a.) don’t lose any games and (b.) cash large checks, it’s understandable when an athletic department moves cautiously before shaking things up.

On the other hand, season ticket sales, skybox licenses and all the other “donation” levels — some of which may be impacted by new tax laws — are also an issue. This year’s home schedule includes nonconference games against Arkansas State, UL-Lafayette and The Citadel as well as Texas A&M, Missouri, Mississippi State and Auburn in SEC play. There have been worse home slates, but one still feels there should be a little more beef in the stew.

So it makes sense for Alabama to be talking with Texas and Notre Dame, and perhaps with some other Power Five schools as well, if only on a perfunctory basis. “Talking” is not the same as “signing a contract.” But given the timeframe on which football scheduling operates, if you don’t talk now, you won’t get a series started before 2030. Alabama would like something to happen sooner, although it won’t be immediate. Neutral site games are already booked for 2018 (Louisville in Orlando) and 2019 (Duke in Atlanta) and there have been discussions about a return to Dallas in 2020.

If it is 2025 before Alabama actually hosts a heavyweight nonconference opponent in Bryant-Denny Stadium, who knows what the landscape of college football will be. Crimson Tide fans would love to believe the current run will last forever, that Nick Saban will coach until he is 99. He certainly seems to have the energy, and might be intrigued by going for 600 career wins. Even if there is a slight swing of the pendulum, history says Alabama will still be elite, one of the most powerful “brands,” to use the new buzzword, in all of sports, college or professional.

I understand the argument “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The neutral site model has been good for Alabama, as good as the gold on the College Football Playoff trophy. It’s possible the playoff will be different in six or seven years as well. I’m not an advocate of expansion — the season is long enough with a simple two-game playoff, especially for teams that also play in a conference championship game. An eight-team field would diminish the risk of losing an early-season marquee game.

The best reason for big-time on-campus football has to be felt to be appreciated. Yes, Alabama plays big games at home and on the road every year. It’s special when Auburn or LSU takes the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium, just as it is when the Crimson Tide rolls into Knoxville or Athens. But there’s something different when it’s South Bend or Norman or State College — and it’s good that Alabama is talking about it again.

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[50+yeartidefan]

TideSports.com​

CECIL HURT: Time is right to discuss Alabama football schedule upgrade
TideSports.com

Nothing — well, nothing except a quarterback’s finger/thumb/hand injury — so almost nothing sparks the fires of offseason football conversation more than scheduling speculation.

So The Tuscaloosa News’ exclusive report about Alabama speaking with other members of the elite all-time-wins club in college football, Notre Dame and Texas, about a possible home-and-home series with one, or perhaps both, ignited a fair share of conversation on social media, with its usual gamut of opinion ranging from intelligent musing to out-and-out trolling.

The time for such discussions has come.

Perhaps it should have come sooner, but the neutral-site model Alabama has used for most of the past decade has been competitively and financially successful and when you (a.) don’t lose any games and (b.) cash large checks, it’s understandable when an athletic department moves cautiously before shaking things up.

On the other hand, season ticket sales, skybox licenses and all the other “donation” levels — some of which may be impacted by new tax laws — are also an issue. This year’s home schedule includes nonconference games against Arkansas State, UL-Lafayette and The Citadel as well as Texas A&M, Missouri, Mississippi State and Auburn in SEC play. There have been worse home slates, but one still feels there should be a little more beef in the stew.

So it makes sense for Alabama to be talking with Texas and Notre Dame, and perhaps with some other Power Five schools as well, if only on a perfunctory basis. “Talking” is not the same as “signing a contract.” But given the timeframe on which football scheduling operates, if you don’t talk now, you won’t get a series started before 2030. Alabama would like something to happen sooner, although it won’t be immediate. Neutral site games are already booked for 2018 (Louisville in Orlando) and 2019 (Duke in Atlanta) and there have been discussions about a return to Dallas in 2020.

If it is 2025 before Alabama actually hosts a heavyweight nonconference opponent in Bryant-Denny Stadium, who knows what the landscape of college football will be. Crimson Tide fans would love to believe the current run will last forever, that Nick Saban will coach until he is 99. He certainly seems to have the energy, and might be intrigued by going for 600 career wins. Even if there is a slight swing of the pendulum, history says Alabama will still be elite, one of the most powerful “brands,” to use the new buzzword, in all of sports, college or professional.

I understand the argument “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The neutral site model has been good for Alabama, as good as the gold on the College Football Playoff trophy. It’s possible the playoff will be different in six or seven years as well. I’m not an advocate of expansion — the season is long enough with a simple two-game playoff, especially for teams that also play in a conference championship game. An eight-team field would diminish the risk of losing an early-season marquee game.

The best reason for big-time on-campus football has to be felt to be appreciated. Yes, Alabama plays big games at home and on the road every year. It’s special when Auburn or LSU takes the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium, just as it is when the Crimson Tide rolls into Knoxville or Athens. But there’s something different when it’s South Bend or Norman or State College — and it’s good that Alabama is talking about it again.

Google Inc.
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=...to-discuss-alabama-football-schedule-upgrade/

Talk-talk-talk..... sounds like a government agency running things.... if you want it to be ..... then make it so...buy out the non- power 5....
1000$ bucks for this years season tickets....with this schedule.....is a rape on good fans... ( plus Tide pride and its raise).....totaling 15–1600 ..for this schedule

 

[TUSKtimes]

Sounds like more than just fans are for these home and home series.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Look at NDs and Texas 2019....doesn’t look like it would take a brain surgeon to move things around and make this scheduling happen...little money...bam..
Wont though...look at NDs schedule...wow...they have like 1 non- power 5 a year...
Compliments to them... so we will yawn through La-Laffette...Ark State...Citadel...Louisville...next year same...different names..same bullshit..
And DUKE....the same DUKE that didnt fill their home stadium for Bama...
And the SEC ...so powerful...dont get it...Vandy, KY, Ole Ms, MSU, Missouri, UT...
Not as good as some of nonpower 5....
Rant for today...sent my $$$$ for season tics this morning....

 

[TerryP]

@50+yeartidefan You keep saying...

buy out the non- power 5....

...when it's those teams that are going a long way to having the extra money to even suggest such.

..look at NDs schedule...wow...they have like 1 non- power 5 a year...

You're right in a sense. If we look at next season they have Ball State...along with Vandy, and 'Cuse, et. al. It's hardly murders row. In '19 they're looking at Bowling Green, New Mexico, et. al. It's a schedule comparable to Bama's with Duke, Southern Miss, Western Carolina, and New Mexico State.

There's an important note here. It's not a fair comparison to look at Notre Dame and their schedule. It goes directly back to what I mentioned about the teams and Bama getting pay-days. Notre Dame has their money coming in regardless of who they schedule via NBC.

 

[252BAMA]

IMO, I believe Bama could have done better than ASU and LA-La this season by shelling out more $$$. As far as The Citadel goes, Terry has already pointed out in another thread there were only SIX non-SEC FBS teams even available that weekend because of mandated conference game schedules. And FIVE of them are Independents.

So let's look at the Independents for the weekend of 11/17/2018.. ND is playing a mandated ACC game vs. Syracuse, which is why there were only five instead of six Independents available for scheduling. That left UNC as the lone conference FBS team available. They ain't coming so needless to even call them! They chose to play WCU at home.

IMO, Liberty would not be an upgrade over The Citadel which is probably why the barn is playing them. UMASS was available but UGA got them. Army is playing Colgate so Bama could have made them a deal they couldn't refuse. Better Bama's $$$ to increase their revenue that our tax $$$.

BYU and New Mexico State were looking because they are playing each other. Hell, Liberty and New Mexico State were so desperate to fill their schedule they scheduled a H/H. THIS SEASON! Liberty plays at NMSU on 10/6 and NMSU plays at Liberty on 11/24.

So, except for Army and BYU, none of the Independents available were really an upgrade over The Citadel. A return game to either of them would have upgraded a future schedule.

 

[alabama mike]

It’s really simple to fix, if you are a power 5 school then you must play a power 5schedule with the xception of one game.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

@50+yeartidefan You keep saying...

...when it's those teams that are going a long way to having the extra money to even suggest such.


You're right in a sense. If we look at next season they have Ball State...along with Vandy, and 'Cuse, et. al. It's hardly murders row. In '19 they're looking at Bowling Green, New Mexico, et. al. It's a schedule comparable to Bama's with Duke, Southern Miss, Western Carolina, and New Mexico State.

There's an important note here. It's not a fair comparison to look at Notre Dame and their schedule. It goes directly back to what I mentioned about the teams and Bama getting pay-days. Notre Dame has their money coming in regardless of who they schedule via NBC.

And vandy, msu, ky, ole ms, etc arent murder row either...
I do keep saying...especially today when I paid for my season tics....lol
And when we roll around to vandy and ky again...weaker...
But so what...its about money...if I don’t like my tics ...give em up?...somebody else wouldbe glad topay for em...bitchin finished

 

[PhillyGirl]

It’s really simple to fix, if you are a power 5 school then you must play a power 5schedule with the xception of one game.

That's how it should be.

Alabama playing the Citadel or WCU is like an MLB team playing a minor league team in the regular season ..

 

[TerryP]

It’s really simple to fix, if you are a power 5 school then you must play a power 5schedule with the xception of one game.

Have you noticed no one has taken the time and actually made up a schedule where you could have that scenario? Or, one where you play P5 only.

Why do you think that is? Writers not having the time?

 

[252BAMA]

Have you noticed no one has taken the time and actually made up a schedule where you could have that scenario? Or, one where you play P5 only.

Why do you think that is? Writers not having the time?

Because it is not doable. Just as you and I know that it is virtually impossible for Bama to even schedule a FBS team , much less a P5, on the next to last weekend of the season. Schools can not be made to schedule each other. You would wind up with the same situation that the SEC had in the 50s and 60s whereby they had to designate OOC games as conference games because schools did not schedule the minimum 6 conference games.

The following is from the SEC Media Guide:

*APPOINTED CONFERENCE GAMES

While the SEC rule requiring six football games with member schools was in effect, 16 games with outside schools were appointed to serve as conference games to avoid a violation for the members. The won-lost records of these games are included in the annual conference standings, but the results are not included in the conference point totals.
1954 – Ole Miss vs. Arkansas, 0-6
1958 – Ole Miss vs. Houston, 56-7
1964 – Tulane vs. Miami, 0-21
1965 – Georgia vs. Clemson, 23-9 Tennessee vs. S. Carolina, 24-3
1966 – Florida vs. Tulane, 31-10 Georgia vs. N. Carolina, 28-3 LSU vs. Tulane, 21-7 Tennessee vs. S. Carolina, 29-17 Vanderbilt vs. Tulane, 12-13
1967 – Georgia vs. Clemson, 24-17 Vanderbilt vs. Tulane, 14-27
1968 – Florida vs. Tulane, 24-3 LSU vs. TCU, 10-7 LSU vs. Tulane, 34-10 Miss. State vs. Tex. Tech, 28-28 Vanderbilt vs. Tulane, 21-7

Edit: I am still pissed about 1966. UNC was designated as a conference game for UGA. Why the hell wasn't it Miami as designated for Tulane in 1964!? UGA's lone loss in 1966 was to Miami. They get to claim a share of the 1966 SEC Championship with Bama because their designated conference game was not Miami.

 

[TUSKtimes]

Folks, college football needs to tighten up the national schedule and mandate that the conferences start playing, at least, by the same rules of schedule. This thing is as imbalanced and unfair as when the Pac 12, B1G, Big 12, were avoiding that extra game while other conferences were having to beat each other's brains out with the 13th game of the schedule just to get to the championship game.

For the Pac 12, Big 12, and B1G to play 9 conference games while we here in the SEC and ACC are deciding what midtier team we are going to run over is not the level playing field we should be getting away with. The NCAA needs to mandate a level playing field for all power 5 conferences. That only leaves 3 games to be concerned with SEC, don't panic. If two of those games were mandated as power 5 teams, from any of the power 5 conferences of their choice, the general public and fanatic in all of us who follow this stuff would be the better for it. I'm willing to concede the directional school to all those who can't sleep at night worrying themselves sick that the directional schools will lose their way without the big payday. I would personally prefer at least a midtier team like UCF.

I don't have any expectations that were ever going back to the days when men were men and the FCS was something we read about in the box scores. But at least the B1G is trying to grow up and are now weaning off that FCS bottle as we speak. Maybe they can shame the rest of college football in time? I doubt it, college football doesn't shame easily.

 

[TerryP]

Because it is not doable.

My question was on the sarcastic side; rhetorical at best. You've answered it precisely. I don't think it's possible to have a 12 game season with a mandate all the games be against P5 schools--at least not possible in its current format. Simple math tells me it would require all conferences have the same number of teams and my gut tells me it would force going to either a P4 or a P6 type of set-up.

Purely guessing here...but the only logical step I see as the next one taken is going to a 9-2-1 type of format allowing for each school to schedule a FCS team once per season (with restrictions on schedules with two FCS teams having to have seven wins to be bowl eligible.)

 

[TerryP]

For the Pac 12, Big 12, and B1G to play 9 conference games while we here in the SEC and ACC are deciding what midtier team we are going to run over is not the level playing field we should be getting away with.

I've got a bit of an issue with "we here in the SEC..."

It's applicable to some teams, like Arkansas this season. It's not applicable to teams like UofSC and UF who have Clemson and FSU respectively.

In an ideal world I'd love to see everyone adopt a schedule that's similar to Ohio State's this season. They've got Oregon State and TCU for OOC games along with Tulane (ideal game for a homecoming) and that still leaves them with their "Vandy" type of game against Rutgers. On the other hand, Penn State's schedule isn't any more difficult than the one Arkansas is going to play. They've got teams like Kent State and App State on their schedule (while playing in a conference that says we aren't going to schedule smaller teams.)

 

[TUSKtimes]

I've got a bit of an issue with "we here in the SEC..."

It's applicable to some teams, like Arkansas this season. It's not applicable to teams like UofSC and UF who have Clemson and FSU respectively.

In an ideal world I'd love to see everyone adopt a schedule that's similar to Ohio State's this season. They've got Oregon State and TCU for OOC games along with Tulane (ideal game for a homecoming) and that still leaves them with their "Vandy" type of game against Rutgers. On the other hand, Penn State's schedule isn't any more difficult than the one Arkansas is going to play. They've got teams like Kent State and App State on their schedule (while playing in a conference that says we aren't going to schedule smaller teams.)

Then you're being a little picky. Otherwise, you pretty much agree with 9 conference games, 2 power 5 teams, and a school for the blind special. Georgia, SC, and it's hard to mention Florida when they've managed to avoid every power 5 team not named FSU in their history. Even SEC teams can occasionally afford to add an extra power 5 team, and good for them, but it seldom happens that often. I would argue they can still afford it because we are playing 8 conference games. That still doesn't put us on a level playing field with the 3 power 5 conferences I mentioned.

As for the B1G, the Kent States and App States of the world is not a perfect system, just a step closer to the solution than the SEC and ACC are willing to take at this point. You would have to overextend your reach on the SOS in each conference if you think that is the great equalizer or any justification for backing off the same OOC schedule. That can never be properly balanced nor should be used from year to year. Impossible to measure and sounds kinda like sour grapes anyway. 9-2-1, let's see if everybody can at least get that far together?

 

[alabama mike]

Have you noticed no one has taken the time and actually made up a schedule where you could have that scenario? Or, one where you play P5 only.

Why do you think that is? Writers not having the time?

I am not sure if it is doable or not but I sure would like to see it. I have no problem with one home cupcake but I would much rather see a home and home against any power 5 as opposed to ut Chattanooga, Georgia Southern, Davidson, etc... Just my opinion.

 

[Destiny's Child]

Folks, college football needs to tighten up the national schedule and mandate that the conferences start playing, at least, by the same rules of schedule. This thing is as imbalanced and unfair as when the Pac 12, B1G, Big 12, were avoiding that extra game while other conferences were having to beat each other's brains out with the 13th game of the schedule just to get to the championship game.

For the Pac 12, Big 12, and B1G to play 9 conference games while we here in the SEC and ACC are deciding what midtier team we are going to run over is not the level playing field we should be getting away with. The NCAA needs to mandate a level playing field for all power 5 conferences. That only leaves 3 games to be concerned with SEC, don't panic. If two of those games were mandated as power 5 teams, from any of the power 5 conferences of their choice, the general public and fanatic in all of us who follow this stuff would be the better for it. I'm willing to concede the directional school to all those who can't sleep at night worrying themselves sick that the directional schools will lose their way without the big payday. I would personally prefer at least a midtier team like UCF.

I don't have any expectations that were ever going back to the days when men were men and the FCS was something we read about in the box scores. But at least the B1G is trying to grow up and are now weaning off that FCS bottle as we speak. Maybe they can shame the rest of college football in time? I doubt it, college football doesn't shame easily.

You are the consistent shit stirrer aren't you?..lol You really think the BIG, PAC 12 or Big 12 play a more difficult schedule then Bama, LSU or any of the SEC teams? That is just stupid to say. Their conference is built with 4 or 5 cupcakes that we would get blasted for scheduling ASU, Arizona, UCLA, Rutgers, Purdue, North Carolina, Baylor, Kansas, Texas Tech, Kansas State. Please tell me the patsy we play in the SEC west???

As a season ticket holder I understand wanting better home game to go to rather than Citadel and the like. As a comparison though the SEC has a tougher schedule as a rule than most BIG, Pac 12, Big 12 or ACC team. Go check the strength of schedules for the last 5 years of SEC teams not that I want some statistical facts to get in the way of your constant shit stirring.

 

[TUSKtimes]

You are the consistent shit stirrer aren't you?..lol You really think the BIG, PAC 12 or Big 12 play a more difficult schedule then Bama, LSU or any of the SEC teams? That is just stupid to say. Their conference is built with 4 or 5 cupcakes that we would get blasted for scheduling ASU, Arizona, UCLA, Rutgers, Purdue, North Carolina, Baylor, Kansas, Texas Tech, Kansas State. Please tell me the patsy we play in the SEC west???

As a season ticket holder I understand wanting better home game to go to rather than Citadel and the like. As a comparison though the SEC has a tougher schedule as a rule than most BIG, Pac 12, Big 12 or ACC team. Go check the strength of schedules for the last 5 years of SEC teams not that I want some statistical facts to get in the way of your constant shit stirring.

How many "cupcakes" have been in the SEC East? The east has had the distinction of being the worst division in power 5 football for a number of years this last decade. Yes, statistically speaking, even worse than B1G west. How much daily indignation do you feel about the shortcuts Florida, Missouri, and Georgia have enjoyed to get to the CCG? It's seldom discussed and most in the west couldn't care less as opposed to other power 5 conferences that we bring up constantly. Perhaps we just assume it will cycle around. That is the same approach I take with the Pac 12 or any other conference. It all cycles.

There is nothing wrong with a level playing field from the east coast to the west, north to south. There is nothing wrong with playing 9 conference games when the majority of power 5 teams have been doing it for years now. The perception is the SEC are the ones getting off light. For the money we are paying, I would drive to BDS and watch us play a middle of the road conference power 5 team rather than Mercer, or Western Carolina any day of the week and twice on Saturday.

And perhaps you should look up your own stats, I'm busy making my points.

 

[TerryP]

Then you're being a little picky. Otherwise, you pretty much agree with 9 conference games, 2 power 5 teams, and a school for the blind special. Georgia, SC, and it's hard to mention Florida when they've managed to avoid every power 5 team not named FSU in their history. Even SEC teams can occasionally afford to add an extra power 5 team, and good for them, but it seldom happens that often. I would argue they can still afford it because we are playing 8 conference games. That still doesn't put us on a level playing field with the 3 power 5 conferences I mentioned.

IF this was true, why do we continually see SEC schedules ranked so highly in terms of strength of schedule? Take Auburn last season as one example. They scheduled Clemson for a marquee OOC opponent and along with them had Mercer, Georgia Southern, and LA Monroe for the other three--a schedule ranked the toughest in the nation. But they're not on a level playing field with the other conferences? (And that's not including UGA and Bama being in the top seven.) Ohio State falls in the top seven with OU as their lone marqee OOC game and they're supposed to be on a different playing field? Penn State with teams like Akron, Pitt, and Georgia State is supposed to be a tougher row to hoe that UofSC playing their SEC schedule and Clemson?

Iowa, Purdue, Minnesota, Illinois, Maryland, Rutgers, and Indiana. Hell, throw Michigan and Nebraska in there and you've got a nine game conference schedule that's akin to playing Vandy and Kentucky, each, four/five times in a season. A case can be made for the later being a tougher schedule than the former.

 

[TUSKtimes]

IF this was true, why do we continually see SEC schedules ranked so highly in terms of strength of schedule? Take Auburn last season as one example. They scheduled Clemson for a marquee OOC opponent and along with them had Mercer, Georgia Southern, and LA Monroe for the other three--a schedule ranked the toughest in the nation. But they're not on a level playing field with the other conferences? (And that's not including UGA and Bama being in the top seven.) Ohio State falls in the top seven with OU as their lone marqee OOC game and they're supposed to be on a different playing field? Penn State with teams like Akron, Pitt, and Georgia State is supposed to be a tougher row to hoe that UofSC playing their SEC schedule and Clemson?

Iowa, Purdue, Minnesota, Illinois, Maryland, Rutgers, and Indiana. Hell, throw Michigan and Nebraska in there and you've got a nine game conference schedule that's akin to playing Vandy and Kentucky, each, four/five times in a season. A case can be made for the later being a tougher schedule than the former.

Because the SEC West has been a dominant division for the last decade. The best in power 5 college football. The West does not the East make. What did you think of Georgia's romp through the east last season? Tennessee was 0 for 8 in the SEC and McElwain got fired at Florida along with Butch. Missouri had to go on a 6 game win streak just to break even. And Vandy was Vandying all over the place. And when Georgia went to a decent West teams home field they got curb stomped as the #1 team in the nation.

What do you think of Georgia's SOS this season?
Austin Peay
South Carolina
Middle Tennessee
Missouri
Tennessee
Vandy
LSU
Florida
Kentucky
The Barn
UMass
GaTech

You might as well pencil them into Atlanta now. We often talk about the SEC SOS like it's one entity. There is a huge difference between the West and the East in terms of SOS. How would you like to see Georgia have to play an extra SEC game from a West opponent every season? They would if they were scheduled to play a 9th conference game. The 9th game isn't just in Bama's best interest nationally, it's in Bama's best interest as Georgia continues to build in the East.

The SEC East is again the worst Power 5 college football division ...