📡 Coaches oppose proposal to extend football season

[By Alex Byington Sports]

DESTIN, Fla. — Nearly all SEC football coaches were united on one topic at the SEC Spring Meetings last week.

They don't want a 14-week regular season.

The NCAA’s Football Oversight Committee is contemplating extending the regular season from 13 weeks to 14 in order to allow for two bye weeks.

But none of the SEC’s football coaches seemed favorably disposed.

“Our coaches had concern about the notion of going to a 14-week football schedule on a regular basis that causes the start date of the season to begin earlier,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said. “With the adjustments of no two-a-days and the ability to begin (preseason practice) a week earlier, the notion of starting (the season) a week earlier was not one that was received favorably at this point.”

Alabama head football coach Nick Saban has already voiced his opinion on the length of the season as it is currently, with the Crimson Tide playing 15 games over five months each of the past two seasons.

“I personally think that our season is way too long and making the season longer is not a good thing for the players,” Saban said in April.

Sankey expects there will be more conversation on the topic and plans to present some of his coaches’ concerns to the Football Oversight Committee.


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[TUSKtimes]

The reason the 2 byes seemed appealing to me is the unfairness in which the single bye gets scheduled out. I suppose the team with the most depth would logically fare the best when it comes to long stretches on the schedule. As a football fan, I like a longer season and a rested Alabama team.

 

[TerryP]

The reason the 2 byes seemed appealing to me is the unfairness in which the single bye gets scheduled out.

I'll give you arbitrary, but unfairness doesn't fit. We see different teams get different schedules each season.

And let's not forget here. When the SEC schedule is released there are a number of bye weeks built in that are used for out of conference games. Arkansas has their bye week scheduled for week three and it could have been in week five, or in week 10. A lot of that is on them and how they've chosen to schedule.

If you look at Auburn, LSU, and Bama you'll notice they have the latest bye weeks. Arkansas, as mentioned, the earliest. One could look at LSU and talk about unfair it is for them to have to play eight games in a row and half of them are conference games. Or, they could choose the Hogs side and talk about having to play so many in a row to end the season.

LSU closes with four conference games. Ole Miss doesn't have a conference game until week five.

Arbitrary, at best.

What do ya think...start it as a lottery and last place team picks first bye week? Point is, everyone will be upset at their schedule as some point.

 

[alabama mike]

How about a 10-11 game regular schedule with a tournament draw like March Madness for the first few rounds, higher seed at home, go to the minor bowl and then the big boys. Just thinking out loud.