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Nick Saban says ‘nobody listens’ when campaigning for tougher scheduling
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This weekend is known as “Cupcake Week” in the SEC. Four teams will play FCS foes. Four more will battle teams from Group of Five conferences. There are only three league games.
It’s nothing new. For the last several years, the second-to-last weekend of the college football season has always been an unappealing Saturday in the SEC. Apparently, Alabama head coach Nick Saban has been trying to get it changed.
Saturday, Alabama will play The Citadel, a middle-of-the-road FCS program. There’s absolutely no interest in this matchup, as the Tide have demolished every FBS and SEC opponent on the schedule. Saban isn’t a huge fan of these low-interest games, either. He’s trying to get it changed.
According to Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News, Saban has been petitioning for a nine-game conference schedule, much like the B1G. He says, though, that nobody is listening to him.
“I don’t think anybody out there realizes the difficulties we have in scheduling, finding someone to play,” Saban said. “it’s really, really difficult.
Nick Saban: “I don’t think anybody out there realizes the difficulties we have in scheduling, finding someone to play. It’s really, really tough.” Says “nobody listens” when he calls for 9-game conference schedule.
— Cecil Hurt (@CecilHurt) November 14, 2018
Alabama should receive some credit for its scheduling. The Tide are typically in marquee season-opening matchups every year, something several programs aren’t comfortable doing.
Over the last several years, Alabama has scheduled opening games against Michigan, Virginia Tech, Florida State, Wisconsin, USC and Louisville, to name a few.
The biggest problem in the SEC’s approach to scheduling FCS opponents is that there isn’t a real repercussion for doing so. And until the College Football Playoff committee punishes teams for that kind of scheduling, it likely won’t change.
But Saban does have the most influential voice in college football. We’ll see if any changes come.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB