📡 UPDATE: SEC decides to remain at 8 league games in 2024 when Oklahoma & Texas join league, SEC's Greg Sankey says

[50+yeartidefan]

And still I've yet to see any advantage to the Alabama football team by moving to a nine game schedule; only disadvantages.

I do....9 conference...1 major non conference...
That 10... plus 2 BS games...

Advantage.....keep people buying them season tics...
And national interest....could help in recruiting...certainly keeping the brand going..

8 conference...1 major NC...3 BS games...

Sales deminish...but free tickets to someone...mine

 

[OldPlayer]

I do....9 conference...1 major non conference...
That 10... plus 2 BS games...

Advantage.....keep people buying them season tics...

8 conference...1 major NC...3 BS games...

Sales deminish

The conference can't dictate who a school plays outside of the conference. Each school will have to determine the quality of their schedule to help in a strength of schedule measure to get into the CFP. Do you think Vandy will be scheduling teams like Ohio State, Notre Dame, Clemson, Washington or Texas Tech? They know that they won't be competing for a NC so don't need to schedule for it. Alabama has set a path to have a strong OOC schedule in the future reducing their schedule to one patsy per year and two heavyweights (Ohio State, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Oklahoma State, West Virginia). This will help with ticket sales and profitability since they won't have to pay three patsies to pay.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

The conference can't dictate who a school plays outside of the conference. Each school will have to determine the quality of their schedule to help in a strength of schedule measure to get into the CFP. Do you think Vandy will be scheduling teams like Ohio State, Notre Dame, Clemson, Washington or Texas Tech? They know that they won't be competing for a NC so don't need to schedule for it. Alabama has set a path to have a strong OOC schedule in the future reducing their schedule to one patsy per year and two heavyweights (Ohio State, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Oklahoma State, West Virginia). This will help with ticket sales and profitability since they won't have to pay three patsies to pay.

Really believe that.?... all this whining about lsu/tn/ au as permanents....and bama gonna play 2 p5 plus 9 conference....never happen...regardless of previous scheduleing...
Even nicksees as disadvantage ( which may be but...bamais bama..)

NC games will be rescheduled...shifted..dropped..bought out..

You been to games...you have seen all empty seats disguised as fans..

 

[Rsedge72]

You asked how it would benefit the player, and that explains how it would. Not avoiding anything.

Playing an extra (tougher) opponent doesn’t benefit the player either. Could potentially be detrimental to those players

 

[OldPlayer]

Really believe that.?... all this whining about lsu/tn/ au as permanents....and bama gonna play 2 p5 plus 9 conference....never happen...regardless of previous scheduleing...
Even nicksees as disadvantage ( which may be but...bamais bama..)

NC games will be rescheduled...shifted..dropped..bought out..

You been to games...you have seen all empty seats disguised as fans..

Nick wants nine conference games. His issue was the proposed three permanent teams (if that’s what the conference decides what to do) of Auburn, Tennessee and LSU. The OOC games are set and canceling any of them creates a big headache operationally and in the perception of fans. Here’s the future schedules:

Future Alabama Football Schedules | FBSchedules.com

 

[ElephantStomp]

I don’t care whether the conference goes to 9 or stays at 8, but for the love of shit stop playing damn cupcakes and play upper tier teams

 

[BamaFan334]

Playing an extra (tougher) opponent doesn’t benefit the player either. Could potentially be detrimental to those players

Come on man, it's football. It's all detrimental to their bodies. Those schools put guys in the NFL too, not just SEC schools, so it's all the same chance to get hurt.

NFL is sixteen plus games, so better man up quick if one extra SEC game puts them in jeapordy, or before you expand the playoffs to more teams.

 

[252BAMA]

I don’t care whether the conference goes to 9 or stays at 8, but for the love of shit stop playing damn cupcakes and play upper tier teams

The only way that is ever going to happen is if Bama ceases to request the week before Auburn be left open on their schedule. And it appears hell might freeze over before that happens.

 

[Rsedge72]

Come on man, it's football. It's all detrimental to their bodies. Those schools put guys in the NFL too, not just SEC schools, so it's all the same chance to get hurt.

NFL is sixteen plus games, so better man up quick if one extra SEC game puts them in jeapordy, or before you expand the playoffs to more teams.

Yes all games are detrimental, that’s not what I’m saying. If you think playing a bigger/more physical/tougher team isn’t MORE detrimental your nuts. Just wanting a high profile game so we as fans can get revved up, have the media hype it, get the prime time game, have game day there?!???
That’s kinda selfish.

 

[BamaFan334]

Yes all games are detrimental, that’s not what I’m saying. If you think playing a bigger/more physical/tougher team isn’t MORE detrimental your nuts. Just wanting a high profile game so we as fans can get revved up, have the media hype it, get the prime time game, have game day there?!???
That’s kinda selfish.

And expanding the Playoffs isn't? The players want more marquee matchups. You think they prefer playing Tennessee and Georgia or Chattanooga and Mercer? We've had guys get hurt against inferior teams more than we have against higher profile teams I'm willing to bet. How many times on this very forum are we verbally holding our breath during those games that we come out unscathed? Not sure we ever even discuss it during SEC games.

It's not selfish to want more for my money either if you want to get on that topic. Ticket prices have gone up over the last few years, but the ticket package has not offered anything more, and actually less as you don't even get a care package anymore, not even a dang program. Having Texas this year is amazing and I feel this season was actually worth it for that reason. Even the away game to South Florida is exciting over a cupcake that I may actually travel for if we aren't playing youth football. Joining a travel team, so should be interesting for us. I know y'all play travel softball, so you undertand, ha ha. I have wasted plenty of money in my life, but the older I get the more I don't mind spending as long as I feel I'm getting value. With NIL I don't worry so much about my donation going to help the players as much as I used to, so I definitely want to know I'm getting something for it these days.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Nick wants nine conference games. His issue was the proposed three permanent teams (if that’s what the conference decides what to do) of Auburn, Tennessee and LSU. The OOC games are set and canceling any of them creates a big headache operationally and in the perception of fans. Here’s the future schedules:

Future Alabama Football Schedules | FBSchedules.com

Actually...nick has changed to wanting 8 conference games...may be a ploy or whatever...he doesnt like 3 bamas permanent....i guess...i love the 3. Others dont

I saw and have kept up with NC games...i think some were a ploy to keep fans maintaining season tics...

I have been 100% for 9 conference....but if we keep our future NC games....
I would rather have 8....(. 9 would be even better...but wouldn't happen) ..and play the NC scheduled / proposed games...

I hope the days of 3/4 G-5 teams on schedule are over....that is all i really want...

 

[Rsedge72]

And expanding the Playoffs isn't? The players want more marquee matchups. You think they prefer playing Tennessee and Georgia or Chattanooga and Mercer? We've had guys get hurt against inferior teams more than we have against higher profile teams I'm willing to bet. How many times on this very forum are we verbally holding our breath during those games that we come out unscathed? Not sure we ever even discuss it during SEC games.

It's not selfish to want more for my money either if you want to get on that topic. Ticket prices have gone up over the last few years, but the ticket package has not offered anything more, and actually less as you don't even get a care package anymore, not even a dang program. Having Texas this year is amazing and I feel this season was actually worth it for that reason. Even the away game to South Florida is exciting over a cupcake that I may actually travel for if we aren't playing youth football. Joining a travel team, so should be interesting for us. I know y'all play travel softball, so you undertand, ha ha. I have wasted plenty of money in my life, but the older I get the more I don't mind spending as long as I feel I'm getting value. With NIL I don't worry so much about my donation going to help the players as much as I used to, so I definitely want to know I'm getting something for it these days.

I agree I don’t think the playoffs should be expanded at all. I’m an Alabama fan not a fan of the “sport” a good game is any game BAMA throttles the other team. The fact remains that I don’t see why anyone would want the team they’re rooting for, to have a tougher road to a championship. Makes zero sense!!!! Baffling!!!! Also if you think more guys get hurt/beat up against lesser teams, your not paying attention

 

[TerryP]

Ahh, yes. Answer his points and he adds wording and creates a moving target. You have mentioned easier road to a Championship in our conversations, yes you have with an eight game schedule. You keep pointing to a disadvantage, but it's no more of a disadvantage for teams that are forced to play Alabama and Georgia each season as part of that extra game, because every other team is not on the same level as us from a roster or competitive standpoint. If everyone has to play a ninth game, there is zero disadvantage because you've added the same requirement to everyone, except the chance of winning is now a lot less for whomever gets Alabama as their unlucky ninth game opponent. We're already playing in the West, the more competitive division as it is, so even if they blow up divisions and go to whatever model, we were already at a disadvantage compared to Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida based off their division opponents compared to ours.

Here's your moving target.

I said, on day one, the three permanent opponents selected for Alabama didn't give the Tide a level playing field. For that reason, I support the 1-7 model.

Lo and behold, here we are more a month later and I'm saying, "I don't support the nine game schedule because Alabama will not be playing on an even playing field because of the three permanent opponents."

See how much has changed there?

If everyone has to play a ninth game, there is zero disadvantage because you've added the same requirement to everyone, except the chance of winning is now a lot less for whomever gets Alabama as their unlucky ninth game opponent.

How many SEC teams will be required to play opponents, all three mind you, who have won a national title in the last quarter of a century?

Name one SEC team, who has three permanent opponents, of the same caliber as the one's proposed for Alabama.

Now, after you've finished, tell me there is zero disadvantage for a team who is playing tougher competition than their conference peers?

Championships? It's an afterthought if you aren't at the top of the SEC at year's end.

---

The man who coaches the Alabama Crimson Tide football team says, just as I do, it's not a level playing field and it is a disadvantage for his players. Telling me I'm looking at this incorrectly is one thing.

Saying he's wrong...?

 

[TerryP]

The conference can't dictate who a school plays outside of the conference. Each school will have to determine the quality of their schedule to help in a strength of schedule measure to get into the CFP. Do you think Vandy will be scheduling teams like Ohio State, Notre Dame, Clemson, Washington or Texas Tech? They know that they won't be competing for a NC so don't need to schedule for it. Alabama has set a path to have a strong OOC schedule in the future reducing their schedule to one patsy per year and two heavyweights (Ohio State, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Oklahoma State, West Virginia). This will help with ticket sales and profitability since they won't have to pay three patsies to pay.

In 2016 they passed a measure requiring every SEC team to play one P5 school each year. They can't dictate who, but do dictate from where.

 

[OldPlayer]

In 2016 they passed a measure requiring every SEC team to play one P5 school each year. They can't dictate who, but do dictate from where.

Rutgers, Vandy, Kansas, Maryland, Cal and Oregon State are all P5 teams.

 

[BamaFan334]

Here's your moving target.

I said, on day one, the three permanent opponents selected for Alabama didn't give the Tide a level playing field. For that reason, I support the 1-7 model.

Lo and behold, here we are more a month later and I'm saying, "I don't support the nine game schedule because Alabama will not be playing on an even playing field because of the three permanent opponents."

See how much has changed there?


How many SEC teams will be required to play opponents, all three mind you, who have won a national title in the last quarter of a century?

Name one SEC team, who has three permanent opponents, of the same caliber as the one's proposed for Alabama.

Now, after you've finished, tell me there is zero disadvantage for a team who is playing tougher competition than their conference peers?

Championships? It's an afterthought if you aren't at the top of the SEC at year's end.

---

The man who coaches the Alabama Crimson Tide football team says, just as I do, it's not a level playing field and it is a disadvantage for his players. Telling me I'm looking at this incorrectly is one thing.

Saying he's wrong...?

No No No, you said that weeks ago, and then commented against me again a couple of days ago when I never even mentioned the three game deal, because once we finished the discussion I understood with the three permanent it would in fact make it unfair based off that discussion of who we would get. This discussion leaves every option on the table like @UAgrad93 offered, so I was specially stating however they decide to lay it out I want nine games. And you're entire point is a proposal, not even the exact or specific plan. We can speculate all day long if we want. I'm speaking in generalities that I want nine games. Saban as of a year or go wanted a nine game schedule, so he's flip flopping himself. Saban ain't always right, and I laugh when all of a sudden you take his word as the gospel when you've spoken out before about all the people that just fall in line with Saban and everything he says. If we keep traditional rivalries, yes, Alabama is getting a tougher draw than anyone else. No one says that two years ago with where Tennessee was. College football is cyclical like everything else. Alabama won't be on top forever and we will eventually be the Missouri or South Carolina to someone else's schedule. Auburn isn't a tough draw at the moment if we want to look at records. I'm saying Saban is wrong, because he's only looking at it from a Championship prospective. You could say he isn't happy about the Playoff being expanded either due to the wear and tear on his guys due to extra games, but it's happening. They're all opinions.

 

[TerryP]

Rutgers, Vandy, Kansas, Maryland, Cal and Oregon State are all P5 teams.

Oregon State is on the future Ole Miss schedule. Cal is at Auburn next season and has Florida in a few years. Kansas is playing Missouri. Rutgers is the only team you've listed that doesn't cross the path of a SEC team.

I still don't get the point, though. What do any of these teams you've listed have to do with the SEC schedule? I see teams from the SEC fulfilling their P5 requirements.

 

[TerryP]

And you're entire point is a proposal, not even the exact or specific plan. We can speculate all day long if we want. I'm speaking in generalities that I want nine games. Saban as of a year or go wanted a nine game schedule, so he's flip flopping himself. Saban ain't always right, and I laugh when all of a sudden you take his word as the gospel when you've spoken out before about all the people that just fall in line with Saban and everything he says.

Right now, they are voting on two plans. Two proposals both of which we know.

Generally, I am in favor of nine games: not as proposed. I'm not flip flopping here. I don't like the nine game proposal because the eight game is better for Alabama.

You're right, "Saban ain't always right." But I'm not taking his word as gospel.

Name one SEC team, who has three permanent opponents, of the same caliber as the one's proposed for Alabama.

There isn't one.

That's the gospel; said long before Saban's interview.

 

[BamaFan334]

I agree I don’t think the playoffs should be expanded at all. I’m an Alabama fan not a fan of the “sport” a good game is any game BAMA throttles the other team. The fact remains that I don’t see why anyone would want the team they’re rooting for, to have a tougher road to a championship. Makes zero sense!!!! Baffling!!!! Also if you think more guys get hurt/beat up against lesser teams, your not paying attention

Are you sitting there watching every play of the Chattanooga, Austin Peay, Middle Tennessee, and Mercer game? Are you watching more of the Alabama/Auburn, Alabama/Tennessee, Alabama/LSU, Alabama/Texas A&M game more than the Alabama/Mercer, Alabama/Chattanooga games? I can tell you attendance wise which teams people prefer to come watch and see and who they pay more to come see. That is enough right there to want us to play a tougher schedule. Your interest in the games is what pays for these kid's education and ability to do this beyond Alabama. If no one watches, this is a much different story with conference payouts and revenue stemming from college football. People want to see marquee games and players want to play in marquee games. Five star recruits come to Alabama to play for Saban and to play with the best and against the best. Otherwise they would all stay closer to home and play for their respective state school. Without the SEC payouts we can't afford Saban and he goes elsewhere. That all comes from fan interest. All those NFL dollars our players make? All that comes from fan interest paying the bills to keep our coaches on the sidelines, keep them medically prepared, physically prepared, and academically eligible. Players want to play in the SEC because they want to play against the best. They aren't coming here to play those D-II schools. Let's not even get into the pay outs we give those teams to come here. One less of those games and the world is crumbling for so many.

As far as injuries, yes, plenty of guys get beat up and injured in those worthless and pointless games against inferior competition. So I am paying attention. Go to any of those game threads on here and you'll see a collective agreement amongst everyone we hate those games due to injury possibilities and what it costs us.

 

[BamaFan334]

Right now, they are voting on two plans. Two proposals both of which we know.

Generally, I am in favor of nine games: not as proposed. I'm not flip flopping here. I don't like the nine game proposal because the eight game is better for Alabama.

You're right, "Saban ain't always right." But I'm not taking his word as gospel.

There isn't one.

That's the gospel; said long before Saban's interview.

I'd be interested to see the records of the proposal you're not in favor of and get the last twenty years of records for each team and then see which pod shows the most competitive teams. Like I said, it's cyclical. Saban has lost to Auburn as much as any team in the country, but we also know not all of those times should they have even been in the same atmosphere as us as far as talent and ability. Any team can beat you on any given day. Auburn has a better record than anyone, but that doesn't mean we are getting the short end of the stick, it just means they play us better. Same could be said for Florida against Georgia.