The camera and article frenzy that is SEC Media Days started up again this Monday morning. As is standard, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey opened the day with some words of his own. While he certainly had plenty to say, one thing that stuck out to most of us in attendance was the potential move to a 14-week season.
In its current state, the college football season lasts for 13 weeks – each team playing 12 games with one BYE week thrown somewhere in between. The proposed change would add an additional week to the CFB schedule, and would give each team one additional BYE week.
“There’s not opposition here to a 14-week season,” said Sankey, “there’s curiosity and interest. There are two important points that were communicated [in the Destin meetings]: one, we don’t want to see practice begin even earlier in the summer. [Two] there’s also an interest in keeping the number of preparatory practices practice opportunities.”
Sankey went on to discuss the 29 ‘opportunities’ each team had to use preparatory practice prior to Fall Camp, should they choose. Another issue Sankey covered was that he wanted to still give ‘sensitivity’ to players taking summer courses and did not want to ‘further interrupt’ their process.
Despite these apparent cons, the benefit of an additional BYE week could potentially play out well for the conference, especially as far as Alabama is concerned.
With more than a handful of ranked opponents on the schedule each season, it is tough to find the right time to schedule a BYE without it being too late in the season or too early. Typically, Nick Saban and the rest of his staff have preferred the open week to take place one week before the annual November match-up with LSU. However, if teams were granted two open weeks the mindset would also likely change.
Some coaches would have one a few games in then again with just a couple games left on the season in order to finish strong. While no more than just a hypothetical, it is possible Saban would like to stay consistent with his open week prior to the LSU date being that it tends to be the most physical.
The second BYE Week would be the most interesting.
Suppose, for instance, this rule had been set into place for the upcoming season. Alabama has their rivalry match-up with Tennessee on October 21st in Week 8, has Week 9 off, and plays LSU in Week 10. After a tough opening game against Florida State, the Tide’s schedule lightens immensely over the next two weeks with out-of-conference games against Fresno State and Colorado State, respectively.
They follow up that with a road game against Vanderbilt and and a home tussle with Ole Miss – a team that has given them troubles in the past. To gain the most leverage possible against a team like Ole Miss, they could take the extra week off in Week 5 for rest and additional preparation.
In addition to the extra time to prepare for the Rebels, this would also divide up the schedule in an even manner (4 games – BYE Week – 4 games – BYE Week – 4 games – Conference Championship).
While the academic aspect of it is well understood, the in-season benefit to players, both mentally and physically, would become quickly evident. Injuries are a part of sports, but anything that could help prevent them should be welcomed with open arms. It sounded like everyone was in agreement, now we are just in the ‘wait-and-see’ period, and if the rules committee finds n agreeable way to set it up, do not be surprised to see your favorite team to get an additional week of rest.
Jake Weaver is a lead writer for TD Alabama Magazine and Bama Hoops Hype. You can contact him via phone at 205-612-5060, or on Twitter @JWeaver_TDALMag
