SEC Scheduling

[T Town Tommy]

Tommy,
Always appreciate your insight and comments. I hold no personal grudges against you, Bama or the SEC, but you're just trying to rationalize now. You aren't winning this one.

Personally, I think you should tip your cap when you lose and be respectful when you win. But Saban says everything he says for a reason. No different than any other coach. And I am sure BGB was offended by it. And I don't think Saban really cares.

As far as expectations, I think winning a title every year right now at Bama is in line with where they are as a program. No different going in to this year.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Personally, I think you should tip your cap when you lose and be respectful when you win. But Saban says everything he says for a reason. No different than any other coach. And I am sure BGB was offended by it. And I don't think Saban really cares.

As far as expectations, I think winning a title every year right now at Bama is in line with where they are as a program. No different going in to this year.

Right, which the implications of the OU game are clearly important and Saban is trying to downplay it. Saban gains NOTHING by saying the game was important to him and the players. Much like the MSU game, where he would gain nothing by saying the game wasn't important or didn't prove anything. Which is why his position on the matter flip flopped.

Saban doesn't care about BGB's comments, but does care if they impact the chance that an 11-1 Bama team gets left out of the playoff over an 11-1 OU team. In the off chance something like that happens, Saban has nothing except making sure everyone knows that last year's game was unimportant to him. Saban is very smart and savvy and makes a calculated response to each question. I find it very difficult to believe that he and the team approached that game in a lackadaisical fashion, even if his fan base didn't care about it.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Right, which the implications of the OU game are clearly important and Saban is trying to downplay it. Saban gains NOTHING by saying the game was important to him and the players. Much like the MSU game, where he would gain nothing by saying the game wasn't important or didn't prove anything. Which is why his position on the matter flip flopped.

Saban doesn't care about BGB's comments, but does care if they impact the chance that an 11-1 Bama team gets left out of the playoff over an 11-1 OU team. In the off chance something like that happens, Saban has nothing except making sure everyone knows that last year's game was unimportant to him. Saban is very smart and savvy and makes a calculated response to each question and I find it very difficult to believe that he and the team approached that game in a lackadaisical fashion, even if his fan base didn't care about it.

Somehow I don't think either one's comments will matter to the selection committee. Win every game and it doesn't matter anyway.

 

[Black Irish]

Hmmm. It's like the guy who will scream from the roof tops if he lucks into bedding a gorgeous woman who is way out of his league. But if his romantic advances get shot down, he'll just shrug it off and tell his friends "I wasn't really that into her anyway, who cares if she's a Victoria's Secret model?" as he adjusts his hipster T-shirt from Urban Outfitters to better hide his love handles.

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Barry Alvarez says LSU and Alabama "weren't interested" in home-and-home series with Wisconsin <a href="http://t.co/AKgsW3NcAQ">http://t.co/AKgsW3NcAQ</a> <a href="http://t.co/6AazPAokTC">pic.twitter.com/6AazPAokTC</a></p>— Dr. Saturday (@YahooDrSaturday) <a href="https://twitter.com/YahooDrSaturday/statuses/494592975088140288">July 30, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[T Town Tommy]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Barry Alvarez says LSU and Alabama "weren't interested" in home-and-home series with Wisconsin <a href="http://t.co/AKgsW3NcAQ">http://t.co/AKgsW3NcAQ</a> <a href="http://t.co/6AazPAokTC">pic.twitter.com/6AazPAokTC</a></p>— Dr. Saturday (@YahooDrSaturday) <a href="https://twitter.com/YahooDrSaturday/statuses/494592975088140288">July 30, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Why would they be interested? Going to Wisconsin serves no purpose for either in recruiting. Playing them in Texas does. Besides, Bama and Miami are trying to work out a game around then at the new stadium in Atlanta. LSU is the other team in the mix for the game.

 

[Irish#1]

Why would they be interested? Going to Wisconsin serves no purpose for either in recruiting. Playing them in Texas does. Besides, Bama and Miami are trying to work out a game around then at the new stadium in Atlanta. LSU is the other team in the mix for the game.

Now you're sounding like Calipari and his excuses for dropping IU from the schedule. The odds of losing goes up when you play on the opponents own field as opposed to a supposedly neutral field. Playing Wisconsin in Texas or Atlanta is much more like a home game for Bama. It's a lot easier for their fans to travel a much shorter distance. I think playing a home and home would help in recruiting for both teams and it would be great for college football. I'm willing to bet that Saban wouldn't play Wisconsin on a neutral field like Lucas Oil Stadium or Soldiers Field.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

It sucks the fans are shitcanned in the pursuit of greater payouts and recruiting opportunities. Grow a fucking dick, quit making excuses, and do some home and homes. Wisconsin vs LSU in Jerry World generates not even 10% of the excitement and fanfare of a night game between the two in Death Valley and Camp Randall.

 

[BobbyMac]

The Shamrock Series is ruining college football!

.

 

[Irish#1]

It sucks the fans are shitcanned in the pursuit of greater payouts and recruiting opportunities. Grow a fucking dick, quit making excuses, and do some home and homes. Wisconsin vs LSU in Jerry World generates not even 10% of the excitement and fanfare of a night game between the two in Death Valley and Camp Randall.

Agree.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Now you're sounding like Calipari and his excuses for dropping IU from the schedule. The odds of losing goes up when you play on the opponents own field as opposed to a supposedly neutral field. Playing Wisconsin in Texas or Atlanta is much more like a home game for Bama. It's a lot easier for their fans to travel a much shorter distance. I think playing a home and home would help in recruiting for both teams and it would be great for college football. I'm willing to bet that Saban wouldn't play Wisconsin on a neutral field like Lucas Oil Stadium or Soldiers Field.

Cal stopped playing IU home and home due to the way the players and fans are threatened at Assembly Hall. The last game there was ridiculous. Not that other teams haven't said the same thing about IU. Good natured razzing is expected, but the Hoosier faithful take it too far when they threaten players, coaches, and fans.

Playing Wisconsin home and home would be exciting but it isn't going to do anything for Bama recruiting wise. Personally, I would love to have the Stanford's, USCs, Wisconsins, Fla States, etc type home andhome games every year. As a fan who could ask for more? But it also involves the recruiting factor, whether we like it or not. And the Upper Midwest is just not going to benefit Bama's efforts.

 

[irishog77]

How well does Western Kentucky help bama in recruiting?

Didn't we hear a couple months ago that Saban was trying to fill a hole in their schedule, but nobody would do it...so they had to "settle" for some shitbird team?

And doesn't Saban talk publicly about playing 9 conference games...and wishing they could play the remaining 3 against quality opponents from other major conferences?

Good to see he puts his money where his mouth is.

 

[T Town Tommy]

How well does Western Kentucky help bama in recruiting?

Didn't we hear a couple months ago that Saban was trying to fill a hole in their schedule, but nobody would do it...so they had to "settle" for some shitbird team?

And doesn't Saban talk publicly about playing 9 conference games...and wishing they could play the remaining 3 against quality opponents from other major conferences?

Good to see he puts his money where his mouth is.

Glad to see you worried about our schedule. The answer to your questions can be found in past posts. Pretty simple.

 

[irishog77]

Glad to see you worried about our schedule. The answer to your questions can be found in past posts. Pretty simple.

Exactly-- it is pretty simple. Unfortunately, you don't get it.

Now please rationalize for us, again, bama's loss in the Sugar Bowl and explain to us that the game didn't matter.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Exactly-- it is pretty simple. Unfortunately, you don't get it.

Now please rationalize for us, again, bama's loss in the Sugar Bowl and explain to us that the game didn't matter.

You are entitled to your opinion. And I am mine. Fair enough?

 

[MNIrishman]

You are entitled to your opinion. And I am mine. Fair enough?

Nothing personal T Town, but I've heard that line from every bammer out there (My sister in law is from Tuscaloosa). It's almost like the north and south have different opinions about stuff.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Nothing personal T Town, but I've heard that line from every bammer out there (My sister in law is from Tuscaloosa). It's almost like the north and south have different opinions about stuff.

Can agree on that. ND doesn't get the respect they probably deserve by the majority of fans in the South. I don't think Saban really cares who he plays, but he does care about what's in it for his program. That makes sense to me.

 

[MNIrishman]

When it comes to the SEC, my opinion of the state narrative would be a lot better if we could all agree to play bowls in the north as well. If Bama whooped that ass in Green Bay, I would respect that a lot more than when they go to the state next door and play a team that hasn't played in humidity in months. Admittedly, there is the argument that there isn't as much to do in the north in January, but there are options. Someone mentioned the idea of a cold weather bowl game in Denver---lots of skiing and other winter sports. That'd be pretty awesome. The north has the greatest cities in America---a major bowl in Boston, New York, or Chicago would present traveling fans with PLENTY to do-far more than in most southern locations. But I digress. Bottom line: when it comes to SEC scheduling, I would stand to be a lot more convinced if there were more symmetry of travel and "fish out of water" involved.

 

[T Town Tommy]

When it comes to the SEC, my opinion of the state narrative would be a lot better if we could all agree to play bowls in the north as well. If Bama whooped that ass in Green Bay, I would respect that a lot more than when they go to the state next door and play a team that hasn't played in humidity in months. Admittedly, there is the argument that there isn't as much to do in the north in January, but there are options. Someone mentioned the idea of a cold weather bowl game in Denver---lots of skiing and other winter sports. That'd be pretty awesome. The north has the greatest cities in America---a major bowl in Boston, New York, or Chicago would present traveling fans with PLENTY to do-far more than in most southern locations. But I digress. Bottom line: when it comes to SEC scheduling, I would stand to be a lot more convinced if there were more symmetry of travel and "fish out of water" involved.

I would love to see more of the home and home regular season games instead of the neutral site stuff. And, as I have mentioned, I would love to see Bama schedule national teams such as ND, USC, Whisky, FSU, tOSU, etc. to home and home and do away with NS games. As far as bowl games in the North, I would love to see that happen as well. I would have no problem going to NYC, Boston, Chicago, etc to play a bowl game or the NC game. Maybe the future of the new playoff will bring some of that.

I do think it is funny that Alvarez would bring up Bama and LSU as not wanting a home and home when his own Whisky school would not schedule Miss State. The only assumption one could make is the same as Bama's and LSU's. He isn't going to pull recruits of of Miss so why go there. Nothing against Alvarez - I liked him as a coach - but he grandstanded with his comments regarding this situation.

 

[MNIrishman]

I would love to see more of the home and home regular season games instead of the neutral site stuff. And, as I have mentioned, I would love to see Bama schedule national teams such as ND, USC, Whisky, FSU, tOSU, etc. to home and home and do away with NS games. As far as bowl games in the North, I would love to see that happen as well. I would have no problem going to NYC, Boston, Chicago, etc to play a bowl game or the NC game. Maybe the future of the new playoff will bring some of that.

I do think it is funny that Alvarez would bring up Bama and LSU as not wanting a home and home when his own Whisky school would not schedule Miss State. The only assumption one could make is the same as Bama's and LSU's. He isn't going to pull recruits of of Miss so why go there. Nothing against Alvarez - I liked him as a coach - but he grandstanded with his comments regarding this situation.

I think it's hard to know the truth in situations like this. You might be right, I'm not sure. Regardless of the reasons, I stand by my disappointment that if ND makes a bowl game this year, I'm going to have to travel a thousand miles to see it, and it will be in a place that's too hot (I'd live in Alaska if it wasn't so far away from people I care about).

 

[T Town Tommy]

I think it's hard to know the truth in situations like this. You might be right, I'm not sure. Regardless of the reasons, I stand by my disappointment that if ND makes a bowl game this year, I'm going to have to travel a thousand miles to see it, and it will be in a place that's too hot (I'd live in Alaska if it wasn't so far away from people I care about).

Good luck to your Irish and hopefully whatever game they end up playing in is closer than that.

 

[irishog77]

I would love to see more of the home and home regular season games instead of the neutral site stuff. And, as I have mentioned, I would love to see Bama schedule national teams such as ND, USC, Whisky, FSU, tOSU, etc. to home and home and do away with NS games. As far as bowl games in the North, I would love to see that happen as well. I would have no problem going to NYC, Boston, Chicago, etc to play a bowl game or the NC game. Maybe the future of the new playoff will bring some of that.

I do think it is funny that Alvarez would bring up Bama and LSU as not wanting a home and home when his own Whisky school would not schedule Miss State. The only assumption one could make is the same as Bama's and LSU's. He isn't going to pull recruits of of Miss so why go there. Nothing against Alvarez - I liked him as a coach - but he grandstanded with his comments regarding this situation.

Yep, we know you truly feel that way. Particularly with this gem for evidence:

Why would they be interested? Going to Wisconsin serves no purpose for either in recruiting. Playing them in Texas does.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Yep, we know you truly feel that way. Particularly with this gem for evidence:

Geez dude... reading comprehension must not be your strong point. And a word of advice for my Irish friend... don't be so insecure with your program that you have to bash another program. Your constant worries with another team's schedule is puzzling. I have been pretty consistent with how I feel about scheduling and have stated many times out here that I would love to see Bama play many teams that fall within the top, elite teams in the country from other conferences. And contrary to what you or others may think, Bama has scheduled... and continues to schedule some of the elite teams in the country. That, on top of having to play in the toughest conference in the country. (guess you will refute that too) But again, there is a reason that schedules get done, and a large part of that is recruiting. Why is ND playing Texas in a few years? That's a true national power ...LMAO. It's not because they are doing it out of the goodness of their heart. They are doing it for the Texas recruiting pipeline. Same as with the Shamrock series. It serves ND two purposes. It allows them to play games at neutral sites so Irish fans in that geographical location can maybe get down to see them. But they also do it for recruiting purposes as well. If people don't think that, then maybe they need to look a little closer. End of the day dude... tee it up, beat whoever is lined up against you, and don't worry about it.

 

[irishog77]

Geez dude... reading comprehension must not be your strong point. And a word of advice for my Irish friend... don't be so insecure with your program that you have to bash another program. Your constant worries with another team's schedule is puzzling. I have been pretty consistent with how I feel about scheduling and have stated many times out here that I would love to see Bama play many teams that fall within the top, elite teams in the country from other conferences. And contrary to what you or others may think, Bama has scheduled... and continues to schedule some of the elite teams in the country. That, on top of having to play in the toughest conference in the country. (guess you will refute that too) But again, there is a reason that schedules get done, and a large part of that is recruiting. Why is ND playing Texas in a few years? That's a true national power ...LMAO. It's not because they are doing it out of the goodness of their heart. They are doing it for the Texas recruiting pipeline. Same as with the Shamrock series. It serves ND two purposes. It allows them to play games at neutral sites so Irish fans in that geographical location can maybe get down to see them. But they also do it for recruiting purposes as well. If people don't think that, then maybe they need to look a little closer. End of the day dude... tee it up, beat whoever is lined up against you, and don't worry about it.

What did I not comprehend?

I don't need your advice, but since you brought it up-- I'm not insecure with "my program." What ND does or how I feel about ND has nothing to do with your trollish posts.

Since you seem to like advice, here's some for you-- go to another board to post your rationalizations and contradictions. We don't like them here and will call you out on them.

 

[T Town Tommy]

What did I not comprehend?

I don't need your advice, but since you brought it up-- I'm not insecure with "my program." What ND does or how I feel about ND has nothing to do with your trollish posts.

Since you seem to like advice, here's some for you-- go to another board to post your rationalizations and contradictions. We don't like them here and will call you out on them.

I think I have been pretty fair out here. And show me where I have been trollish about ND. You seem to have an issue with me... and/or Bama. That's fine. After all, it is an Irish board. But constant complaining about another program does get old.

 

[MNIrishman]

I think I have been pretty fair out here. And show me where I have been trollish about ND. You seem to have an issue with me... and/or Bama. That's fine. After all, it is an Irish board. But constant complaining about another program does get old.

For the record, I hate Bama with a passion and I think this dude's alright. He's a fan of another team in another part of the country, and he already deviates from the party line by quite a bit. Doesn't seem like a troll to me, and to be honest I like having him post on IE.

But seriously, screw the SEC. And fuck Michigan.

 

[RDU Irish]

The entire SEC is in the bag for scheduling pure shit out of conference. Alvarez is quite likely FOS but grandstanding against a few top SEC programs makes it look like he is doing his job, when in fact, WISCONSIN IS WORSE THAN ANYBODY ABOUT SCHEDULING REAL OPPONENTS!!!

The real news is Wisconsin put LSU and Bama on its schedule for the next three years. Who cares where they play, that is a big step up from recent memory:

2013 UMASS, Tenn Tech, ASU (32-30 Loss), BYU
2012 Northern Iowa (won 26-21), OrSt (10-7 Loss), Utah St (won 16-14), UTEP (won 37-26) mind you they won the Big 10 this year
2011 - UNLV, OrSt, Nor Illinois, South Dakota
2010 - UNLV, San Jose State, ASU, Ausin Peay
2009 - Nor Illinois, Fresno St, Wofford, Hawaii
2008 - Akron, Marshall, Fresno St, Cal Poly (36-35 win to finish the season on a high note)

 

[Irish#1]

Cal stopped playing IU home and home due to the way the players and fans are threatened at Assembly Hall. The last game there was ridiculous. Not that other teams haven't said the same thing about IU. Good natured razzing is expected, but the Hoosier faithful take it too far when they threaten players, coaches, and fans.

Playing Wisconsin home and home would be exciting but it isn't going to do anything for Bama recruiting wise. Personally, I would love to have the Stanford's, USCs, Wisconsins, Fla States, etc type home andhome games every year. As a fan who could ask for more? But it also involves the recruiting factor, whether we like it or not. And the Upper Midwest is just not going to benefit Bama's efforts.

Tommy Tommy Tommy, you really believe that? Calipari used the fans rushing the court as an excuse for player safety so he could get out of the contract. There was a UK fan that complained, but it was because she was trying to leave while everyone was rushing down to the court. Maybe she should have waited a couple of minutes? I've followed ND, IU, Purdue and Butler basketball because as a Hoosier that's what you do. In my entire life I can't remember IU and its fans getting a reputation for threatening players, coaches and fans. If he could swing it, Calipari would schedule his SEC away games on neutral sites.

 

[RDU Irish]

Wisconisn/LSU opens the 2014 season for both in Houston. Granted the next four weeks for the Badgers consists of Western Illinois, OPEN, Bowling Green and USF (all in Camp Randall)

Wisconsin/Bama open 2015 in Arlington. followed by Miami(OH), Troy and Hawaii (all in Camp Randall)

Wisconsin/LSU open 2016 in Lambeau Field which should be pretty cool. Of course Akron and Georgia State (both at Camp Randall) follow with an open date likely being negotiated with a substandard Div 1 school as we speak.

 

[yankeeND]

I don't really care who Bama or anybody else plays for that matter, but at the end of the year when two teams are undefeated, the nod should go to the team that played the tougher schedule. If Bama were to miss out on the final four to teams with like records because they played Western Kentucky opposed to Wisconsin then it's on them. I highly doubt that Bama would be on the outside looking in though, so if someone else gets screwed then I would definitely raise a stink about it. The playoff is a good start to sorting this kind of stuff out IMO.