With 69 days separating Alabama football fans from the start of the 2019 season, news has surfaced about recruiting and a certain fan on Twitter who took shots at the Crimson Tide’s non-conference schedule for the upcoming fall.
In the last few years or so, supporters of other institutions have been disturbed about the lack of challenging out-of-conference games on Alabama’s schedule.
Some of them, including national media personalities, have gone as far as to say “the Tide plays nobody” upon the program winning a national championship – due to not matching up with teams they deem as “tough.”
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Despite seeing Nick Saban schedule 11 marquee non-conference games since 2007 to start Alabama’s season, somehow it is not enough. The Tide has twice faced Florida State and Virginia Tech, while battling Clemson, Penn State, Michigan, West Virginia, Southern California and Louisville.
After looking at Alabama’s slate of games for this season, Paul Finebaum of SEC Network (ESPN) posted a graphic to social media on last week.
The photo had the non-conference games for Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee and the Tide.
With Saban’s bunch facing Duke, New Mexico State, Southern Mississippi and Western Carolina, ESPN crowned Alabama as one of the four Southeastern Conference schools in the Top-10 Easiest Non-Conference schedules category.
Four SEC schools made ESPN’s Top 10 Easiest Non-Conference Schedules this year. Will schedule strength hurt these four teams once we get to bowl season? pic.twitter.com/iZfso7NMXI
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) June 21, 2019
Jonathan Allen, former Alabama defensive end, came to the defense of his Alma mater – bringing up the fact of the school’s conference slate is more challenging than any other conference in the sport – however, another fan quickly came for Alabama’s athletic director Greg Byrne.
Sure. Tell that to the SEC schools that play tough out of conference schedules; SC plays Clemson and UNC; UGA plays Norte Dame and GT; UF has FSU; A&M has Clemson. Alabama can schedule better out of conference opponents.
— Clark Packard (@clark_packard) June 22, 2019
Byrne, who enters his third year of football as AD, offered a response that was tactful and conversation ending. It’s safe to say that one would not want to bring a knife to a gun fight with him, when it comes to the Crimson Tide.
Scheduling is challenging. It takes two teams to make it work where there is mutual interest and dates that work.
We are very appreciative of the schools who have agreed to H&H series (TX, WVU, ND & OU). Working on more & occasional neutral. #RollTide https://t.co/aDO2FRMRzy
— Greg Byrne (@Greg_Byrne) June 23, 2019
Schedules are made out three to four years (sometimes five years) in advance, during a time when the opponent is either a powerhouse program or one on the rise. Should the team falter before Alabama faces it, the mistake of scheduling does not fall on the Tide. Of course, there have also been moments where Alabama has wanted to have more challenging games on its schedule but the other institutions have yet to respond.
Saban was also one that initiated a nine-game conference schedule, unfortunately, the idea was shut down by others in the SEC.
All in all, the Tide wants to play “elite” opponents.
It takes two to agree and as for the future, USC (2020), Miami (2021), Texas (2022-23) and Notre Dame (2027, 2029) all have agreed to home and home series with Alabama.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
