Shameful scheduling...

[RammerJammer91]

The point I'm making though is SEC claims it is so tough. Are there good teams? Absolutely! No doubt! But when you claim that, but Bama doesn't even play any tough team from the east that is invalid to tout how difficult the SEC schedule is. On top of that not 1 but 2 FCS teams on the schedule. It's ludicrous to schedule like that. Bama couldn't find a Sun Belt, MAC, or formerly WAC team to schedule? That's my beef. The supposed best team in the nation has a creampuff schedule with a weak in conference games and 2 FCS teams. Yeah they should go undefeated or close to it.

And that then gets us to the problem of preseason rankings being an idiotic idea and it handicaps teams based on perception before the season.

About ND's schedule. Sure it wasn't as difficult as initially seemed. Could be the same this year. But at the same time ND doesn't schedule FCS teams and can pride themselves on that.

Didn't they prove they were the best team in the nation last year? The NCG was over 3 seconds into the 2nd quarter.

One again, don't listen to the idiot talking heads on ESPN who act like the SEC is perfect. The outcry over that by fans shows how stupid they are by even paying attention to those morons who are making idiotic statements. Just realize that their statements are flawed. Look at Cowturd, he's controversial because he knows it will bring him attention because of the negative reaction of listeners. Going back to Cowturd, the only intelligent thing he said involving Bama-ND, and the SEC was that had it not been for a Tattoo parlor, the Ohio State-ND matchup would have provided a winner that wasn't the best team in the country. He seemed to lean more towards OSU winning that matchup, FWIW.

Had they played ND's schedule, although we'll never know the exact scores and such, the overwhelming evidence at hand from the 2012 season points to Bama running the table and not playing close games against a Pitt or a BYU. But, I've agreed that Bama could/should beef up the schedule. That argument is old and is beaten to death enough. They should beef up the OOC schedule and get rid of FCS teams. Any intelligent person can see that.

 

[Jerry]

Didn't they prove they were the best team in the nation last year? The NCG was over 3 seconds into the 2nd quarter.

One again, don't listen to the idiot talking heads on ESPN who act like the SEC is perfect. The outcry over that by fans shows how stupid they are by even paying attention to those morons who are making idiotic statements. Just realize that their statements are flawed. Look at Cowturd, he's controversial because he knows it will bring him attention because of the negative reaction of listeners. Going back to Cowturd, the only intelligent thing he said involving Bama-ND, and the SEC was that had it not been for a Tattoo parlor, the Ohio State-ND matchup would have provided a winner that wasn't the best team in the country. He seemed to lean more towards OSU winning that matchup, FWIW.

Had they played ND's schedule, although we'll never know the exact scores and such, the overwhelming evidence at hand from the 2012 season points to Bama running the table and not playing close games against a Pitt or a BYU. But, I've agreed that Bama could/should beef up the schedule. That argument is old and is beaten to death enough. They should beef up the OOC schedule and get rid of FCS teams. Any intelligent person can see that.

I don't think the evidence is overwhelming at all. They were barely tested in the first 2 months of the season. Michigan was decent, but Ole Miss was worked by everybody decent last year, same with Missouri and Miss St got smoked by Northwestern. So when they finally play a solid (but overrated) LSU they squeak by with last minuted heroics and then get "trapped" the next weak against A&M giving up 20 in the first quarter. The toughest part of the SEC schedule is playing the championship game IMO.

 

[ACamp1900]

Just my thoughts here... Fans tend to look at schedules as each game on it's own, as if they are played in a complete vacuum...

I'd say any team (yes, even the gods from bama) would have a hard time playing average to above BCS conference teams week in, week out… and that’s what ND had done by time they played BYU and Pitt… show me the grind in Bama’s schedule over the past four years???????...

They had only one stretch last year where they could really get beat down from the grind and that resulted in a loss and a miracle win. I think to those who have played football know it’s harder to play

Average BCS conference team
Average BCS conference team
High level BCS conference team
Average BCS conference team
Below average BCS conference team

Than it is to play a couple of High level teams surrounded with bye weeks and FCS schools...

Totally agreed on the SEC title game… though I think the whole conference gets away with scheduling with that game in mind when only two teams actually play in it…

 

[RammerJammer91]

Just my thoughts here... Fans tend to look at schedules as each game on it's own, as if they are played in a complete vacuum...

I'd say any team (yes, even the gods from bama) would have a hard time playing average to above BCS conference teams week in, week out… and that’s what ND had done by time they played BYU and Pitt… show me the grind in Bama’s schedule over the past four years???????...

They had only one stretch last year where they could really get beat down from the grind and that resulted in a loss and a miracle win. I think to those who have played football know it’s harder to play

Average BCS conference team
Average BCS conference team
High level BCS conference team
Average BCS conference team
Below average BCS conference team

Than it is to play a couple of High level teams surrounded with bye weeks and FCS schools...

Totally agreed on the SEC title game… though I think the whole conference gets away with scheduling with that game in mind when only two teams actually play in it…

Do you think Pitt and BYU would give Bama a game? I'm not saying that you're saying that, just curious. Bama would likely roll over them by halftime without breaking much of a sweat. Yes, the odds are very high that Bama would have beaten every team on ND's schedule convincingly, aside from potentially Stanford. The 2nd best team ND played was Oklahoma (during the regular season), and they were the definition of frauds. Bama was the best team in the country last year, I don't think many people would argue that. And they won the NCG against a good team without breaking a sweat and absolutely embarrassed them. The game was over 3 seconds into the 2nd quarter against a team that had arguably the best Defense in the nation during the regular season, led by a LB who many people viewed as the best LB in the country in the last few years.

Stretches (2010): 4 of 5 games included: #18 Penn State, @ #10 Arkansas, #7 Florida (not a great team, but at the time people felt they were a good team), @ #19 South Carolina.

2009: They played the following during a 6 game stretch: Arkansas, @ #20 Ole Miss (went on to win the Cotton Bowl), #22 South Carolina, #9 LSU.

Be real here, Pitt and BYU were MEDIOCRE teams. No chance in heck Bama struggles with either of them, and has to rely on a kicker puking all over himself in OT and the refs not whistling ND for two players wearing the same jersey on the field at the same time.

 

[ACamp1900]

So you are saying Bama played a better schedule last year than ND... that's what you are saying?? Since of course they lost year but would have won every game convincingly except for MAYBE one with ND's schedule...

 

[WestCoast]

... games against FCS schools [are] scheduled in order to give the starters a break

This makes a huge difference by the end of the season in an extremely physical sport.

 

[irishog77]

So you are saying Bama played a better schedule last year than ND... that's what you are saying?? Since of course they lost year but would have won every game convincingly except for MAYBE one with ND's schedule...

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FhWsNtZXdpY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Bishop2b5]

So you are saying Bama played a better schedule last year than ND... that's what you are saying?? Since of course they lost year but would have won every game convincingly except for MAYBE one with ND's schedule...

Bama and ND played similarly difficult schedules in 2012. Bama's was ranked as the 16th toughest and ND's as 19th. In 2009 when we went 14-0, our schedule was ranked 2nd toughest in the nation. Last year, what looked like a brutal schedule in August turned out to be easier as Tennessee, Arkansas and Auburn all tanked. This year is shaping up as an easier than usual schedule as those same 3 teams are still expected to be down.

 

[dublinirish]

Bama and ND played similarly difficult schedules in 2012. Bama's was ranked as the 16th toughest and ND's as 19th. In 2009 when we went 14-0, our schedule was ranked 2nd toughest in the nation. Last year, what looked like a brutal schedule in August turned out to be easier as Tennessee, Arkansas and Auburn all tanked. This year is shaping up as an easier than usual schedule as those same 3 teams are still expected to be down.

Tennessee had freakin' Vince Dooley at the helm, to "tank" you have to have had some promise at some point, the Vols have been doing nothing of note for years.

 

[ACamp1900]

Final 2012 College Football Strength of Schedule Rankings

 

[kmoose]

Be real here, Pitt and BYU were MEDIOCRE teams. No chance in heck Bama struggles with either of them, and has to rely on a kicker puking all over himself in OT and the refs not whistling ND for two players wearing the same jersey on the field at the same time.

How does this advance your position that it is ok for BCS level teams to schedule teams that struggle to win games at the FCS level?

 

[phork]

Do you think Pitt and BYU would give Bama a game? I'm not saying that you're saying that, just curious.

Bama might jail sex them, but BYU would be a little bit harder than you think. Only 2 teams were ranked above them for total defense. ND & Bama.

Listen, Bama is the gold standard in football right now. I can't wait until Saban gets bored and wants the NFL again. Because there is Bama, then the elite, then everyone else in college football. The SEC has built in advantages that other teams don't. Oversigning, lower academic standards the list goes on. The generally avoid playing the heavy weights year to year in their own conference and they schedule FCS teams. That is simply unacceptable. ND has never, ever, faced an FCS for any reason. Why its allowed at all any more is beyond me.

 

[JughedJones]

I'm sorry RammerJammer, but this schedule is a frigging joke.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aug. 31 Virginia Tech Atlanta, Georgia

BYE WEEK!!

Sept. 14 *at Texas A&M College Station, Texas

BYE WEEK!!!

Sept. 28 *Ole Miss Bryant-Denny Stadium
Oct. 5 Georgia State Bryant-Denny Stadium
Oct. 12 *at Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky
Oct. 19 *Arkansas Bryant-Denny Stadium
Oct. 26 *Tennessee Bryant-Denny Stadium

BYE WEEK!!

Nov. 9 *LSU Bryant-Denny Stadium
Nov. 16 *at Mississippi State Starkville, Mississippi
Nov. 23 Chattanooga Bryant-Denny Stadium
Nov. 30 *at Auburn Auburn, Alabama
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


So before every big game you guys play, you either get a cupcake to play your reserves for 3 and a half quarters or a bye week.

I know it's within the rules... but come on. That's ridiculous.

 

[GowerND11]

I'm sorry RammerJammer, but this schedule is a frigging joke.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aug. 31 Virginia Tech Atlanta, Georgia

BYE WEEK!!

Sept. 14 *at Texas A&M College Station, Texas

BYE WEEK!!!

Sept. 28 *Ole Miss Bryant-Denny Stadium
Oct. 5 Georgia State Bryant-Denny Stadium
Oct. 12 *at Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky
Oct. 19 *Arkansas Bryant-Denny Stadium
Oct. 26 *Tennessee Bryant-Denny Stadium

BYE WEEK!!

Nov. 9 *LSU Bryant-Denny Stadium
Nov. 16 *at Mississippi State Starkville, Mississippi
Nov. 23 Chattanooga Bryant-Denny Stadium
Nov. 30 *at Auburn Auburn, Alabama
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


So before every big game you guys play, you either get a cupcake to play your reserves for 3 and a half quarters or a bye week.

I know it's within the rules... but come on. That's ridiculous.

I put that same schedule down earlier, but we both have made a slight mistake. After the A&M game they play Colorado St...... Not exactly a bye week, but still haha.

 

[ACamp1900]

And that schedule will still rank higher than it should because typically byes and week to week challenges are not factored into the math, simply wins and loses...

 

[Bishop2b5]

Bama might jail sex them, but BYU would be a little bit harder than you think. Only 2 teams were ranked above them for total defense. ND & Bama.

Listen, Bama is the gold standard in football right now. I can't wait until Saban gets bored and wants the NFL again. Because there is Bama, then the elite, then everyone else in college football. The SEC has built in advantages that other teams don't. Oversigning, lower academic standards the list goes on. The generally avoid playing the heavy weights year to year in their own conference and they schedule FCS teams. That is simply unacceptable. ND has never, ever, faced an FCS for any reason. Why its allowed at all any more is beyond me.

Don't hold your breath waiting on Saban to go back to the NFL. Not going to happen for several reasons. As for your claim of advantages from oversigning and lower academics, that's more stereotype than fact. We follow the same NCAA rules on signing that all other teams have to follow. If you choose not to sign all the players the NCAA allows, that's your choice, but don't complain about those teams that do or the negative impact your choice has on your program. You chose that path. Live with the results instead of complaining that everyone else won't follow your example and hamstring themselves.

As for academics, Bama was recently recognized by the NCAA as one of only 13 programs in FBS with an APR score over 978, and has led the nation in Academic All-Americans over the past 5 years. Academics are a lot better at Bama than you seem to realize. Stereotypes aren't always correct. Facts are.

No, we don't get to avoid playing the heavyweights in our conference. Each year we play every team in our division, one traditional rival from the other division, and the rest of the teams in the other division on a rotating basis that is determined years in advance by the league office. Sometimes that means you don't play a certain team when they're hot, and other times you face more than you want. Either way, the schools don't get to avoid other teams when it's convenient.

 

[WestCoast]

If you choose not to sign all the players the NCAA allows, that's your choice, but don't complain about those teams that do or the negative impact your choice has on your program.

What ND chooses to do is not nudge a kid out, drop him for "violation of team rules" or otherwise fail to support them because of their lack of contribution on the field.

As for academics, Bama was recently recognized by the NCAA as one of only 13 programs in FBS with an APR score over 978, and has led the nation in Academic All-Americans over the past 5 years. Academics are a lot better at Bama than you seem to realize.

The APR is a worthless metric. Come talk to us when Alabama graduates football players at a 95% actual rate (in 4-years, not 6 as is allowed under the NCAA metrics) and puts them through real classes like calculus, real majors and the #1 business school in the country.

 

[RammerJammer91]

How does this advance your position that it is ok for BCS level teams to schedule teams that struggle to win games at the FCS level?

Where did I say that it was okay? I suggest you read my posts again. Nowhere did I say that Bama should schedule those schools. In fact, I said I'd like to see them schedule better teams, or Atleast make a better attempt to. Try reading my posts instead of BLATANTLY lying.

 

[RammerJammer91]

I'm sorry RammerJammer, but this schedule is a frigging joke.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aug. 31 Virginia Tech Atlanta, Georgia

BYE WEEK!!

Sept. 14 *at Texas A&M College Station, Texas

BYE WEEK!!!

Sept. 28 *Ole Miss Bryant-Denny Stadium
Oct. 5 Georgia State Bryant-Denny Stadium
Oct. 12 *at Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky
Oct. 19 *Arkansas Bryant-Denny Stadium
Oct. 26 *Tennessee Bryant-Denny Stadium

BYE WEEK!!

Nov. 9 *LSU Bryant-Denny Stadium
Nov. 16 *at Mississippi State Starkville, Mississippi
Nov. 23 Chattanooga Bryant-Denny Stadium
Nov. 30 *at Auburn Auburn, Alabama
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


So before every big game you guys play, you either get a cupcake to play your reserves for 3 and a half quarters or a bye week.

I know it's within the rules... but come on. That's ridiculous.

Where did I say it wasn't a joke? Never. In fact, I said that the schedule isn't exactly Murderers Row (ditto with ND's and the majority of other big conference teams' schedules), and the SEC, isn't as invincible as certain people in the media claim it is and those who feel that it is are idiots. I suggest you re-read my posts again. As of now, Bama will play only 2 teams that project to be real quality teams (LSU and A&M). Nd really only plays 2 teams that, as of now, project to be real quality teams (OU and Stanford), as well. No where am I saying that playing FCS schools is okay.

Bama's schedule isn't very tough. But neither is ND's. Their schedule is far from difficult, as is Bama's.

 

[D-BOE34]

If you were Nick Saban, would you change what works?

 

[RammerJammer91]

What ND chooses to do is not nudge a kid out, drop him for "violation of team rules" or otherwise fail to support them because of their lack of contribution on the field.



The APR is a worthless metric. Come talk to us when Alabama graduates football players at a 95% actual rate (in 4-years, not 6 as is allowed under the NCAA metrics) and puts them through real classes like calculus, real majors and the #1 business school in the country.

I read that article too, but I agree that it's very misleading. In no way is Bama as prestigious of a school as ND. Never has been, and never will. But keep in mind that Bama does have some pretty good programs. It's obviously not an elite academic institution, but it is a good, quality school with some excellent programs with outstanding professors that have contacts that can get your foot in the door at various companies. Example: The Business school has a good reputation and a number of the professors have contacts at some outstanding companies. I majored in Business and just graduated and in August I will be starting at an outstanding company in Dallas, that has dozens of locations in the U.S.

 

[ACamp1900]

Notre Dame has seven of Phil Steele's top 35 on their schedule... Bama has four... While multiple teams they SHOULD be playing are also listed, but somehow they don't play them,.... Again.


Lets not pretend the schedules are comparable.

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

Notre Dame has seven of Phil Steele's top 35 on their schedule... Bama has four... While multiple teams they SHOULD be playing are also listed, but somehow they don't play them,.... Again.


Lets not pretend the schedules are comparable.

Good post.

 

[ACamp1900]

And NDs "cupcakes" are better than Bamas....

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

And NDs "cupcakes" are better than Bamas....

No doubt about it. And it's not even close.

 

[WestCoast]

I read that article too, but I agree that it's very misleading. In no way is Bama as prestigious of a school as ND. Never has been, and never will. But keep in mind that Bama does have some pretty good programs. It's obviously not an elite academic institution, but it is a good, quality school with some excellent programs with outstanding professors that have contacts that can get your foot in the door at various companies. Example: The Business school has a good reputation and a number of the professors have contacts at some outstanding companies. I majored in Business and just graduated and in August I will be starting at an outstanding company in Dallas, that has dozens of locations in the U.S.

I made/make no claims as to the quality of education at various institutions in general (other than what I see from the ranking services or my personal experience with specific schools). My comments were limited to the quality of education that football scholarship athletes receive and the emphasis schools put into helping them graduate.

Alabama in general as a University may be a great school, I'm not saying it is not.

 

[phork]

Alabama Football Freshmen Lead SEC Academically - Roll 'Bama Roll

Murderers row of classes there.

 

[Bishop2b5]

Alabama Football Freshmen Lead SEC Academically - Roll 'Bama Roll

Murderers row of classes there.

I don't understand your need to put others down and snipe at their accomplishments. Actually I do understand it, but civility restrains me from pointing out the obvious.

You have a fine institution in ND. A top 10 program both on the field and off. That's a great accomplishment and something to be proud of. Not every school can be in the top 10 though. Most of the other 110 programs are doing the best they can under a different set of circumstances and conditions than you have at ND. Be proud of what you have without needing to put the others down and belittle their efforts.

 

[irishog77]

RammerJammer-- you seem to have been pretty good here. Thanks for the posts and sticking around.

That being said, I think one factor to consider is that, yeah, sometimes as the season plays out, the schedule becomes much less daunting. For example, I don't think anybody would have predicted Auburn being a total sh!t sandwich of a team last year and being an easy dubya. And schedules are almost always made yearS in advance. There's no shame with having a team like Auburn on your yearly schedule-- they're obviously a quality team much, much more than they are not.

The problem people here have with AL's schedule is that in addition to some of the sec teams being down and the lack of a quality team from the sec east on there, is that AL scheduled teams they know, historically, won't be very good. The difference with ND is that while teams like Pitt and MSU might be "down," they are historically pretty good programs. While I don't think anybody here expects AL to fill their non-conference schedule with Oregon, Texas, Florida St., and Oklahoma, I think what they are actually doing is almost the exact opposite of that-- scheduling in easy wins along with byes situated perfectly around tough games. I think you will readily admit that AL can "rest" players or not show up 100%- mentally and/or physically several times this year. When, exactly, is ND supposed to do that though? I wouldn't consider a team like arkansas a game that will afford Alabama that opportunity as they certainly have the opportunity to be decent. But ND's schedule is virtually full of teams that they have to show up for, damn near 100% effort, to pull out a victory.

 

[Bishop2b5]

RammerJammer-- you seem to have been pretty good here. Thanks for the posts and sticking around.

That being said, I think one factor to consider is that, yeah, sometimes as the season plays out, the schedule becomes much less daunting. For example, I don't think anybody would have predicted Auburn being a total sh!t sandwich of a team last year and being an easy dubya. And schedules are almost always made yearS in advance. There's no shame with having a team like Auburn on your yearly schedule-- they're obviously a quality team much, much more than they are not.

The problem people here have with AL's schedule is that in addition to some of the sec teams being down and the lack of a quality team from the sec east on there, is that AL scheduled teams they know, historically, won't be very good. The difference with ND is that while teams like Pitt and MSU might be "down," they are historically pretty good programs. While I don't think anybody here expects AL to fill their non-conference schedule with Oregon, Texas, Florida St., and Oklahoma, I think what they are actually doing is almost the exact opposite of that-- scheduling in easy wins along with byes situated perfectly around tough games. I think you will readily admit that AL can "rest" players or not show up 100%- mentally and/or physically several times this year. When, exactly, is ND supposed to do that though? I wouldn't consider a team like arkansas a game that will afford Alabama that opportunity as they certainly have the opportunity to be decent. But ND's schedule is virtually full of teams that they have to show up for, damn near 100% effort, to pull out a victory.

I see your point and agree with you to a great extent. As a fan, we don't really care for the cupcake games either. I don't want to sit in the stands or even in front of the TV for three hours watching our 3rd string demolish an FCS school. I understand the reasoning - a break for the starters so you can get them rested and healed for LSU or Florida, experience for some guys who'll be our starters in a year or two, and helping a former assistant jumpstart his program with some exposure and cash - but it doesn't mean we have to like such games.

As for ND and Bama, most years our four toughest opponents are probably stronger than your toughest four and our easiest four are weaker than your easiest four. Averages out to about the same overall difficulty most of the time. We've scheduled at least one and sometimes two strong OOC games since Saban arrived, but I'd like to see us drop most of the cupcakes and go with stronger OOC opponents.

As for byes, we have two this year, but that's very unusual. We normally just have one. Due to the season starting a little earlier this year and Thanksgiving coming later in Nov. (the SEC always finishes the season Thanksgiving weekend), every SEC team has two byes this season. We do try to schedule our usual one bye before a tough game, but it doesn't always work out that way. We've been "byed" more than our share. Three SEC teams have a bye before playing us this year and in 2010, six of our opponents had a bye the week before playing us!