AllTideUp
Heisman
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RE: Saban talks fan support and going to 10 P5 teams
(08-18-2019 06:52 PM)OdinFrigg Wrote: (08-16-2019 03:49 PM)JRsec Wrote: (08-16-2019 03:05 PM)OdinFrigg Wrote: (08-16-2019 01:48 PM)AllTideUp Wrote: (08-16-2019 09:57 AM)OdinFrigg Wrote: "Let's say Saban is completely disingenuous with his commentary, all that has to happen is for others around the country to start walking the walk and Saban will be forced to follow suit eventually."
Isn't this the core of differences of opinion here? Whose holding Saban back? Waiting for Ole Miss or Mississippi State to schedule 12 P5 games first, even if either had the passion to do so, is fantasy land. But if they had Alabama's recruits, boosters, cash, and ESPN/SECN's bestowed love, I say go for it!
I don't think you're getting my point.
It's not just Ole Miss or Mississippi State...it's virtually every program with a stake in winning a national title. The only ones scheduling 10 Power games right now are the ones with 9 conference games. They're only doing it because no one is going to go for a non-conference slate that doesn't include a decent opponent. The SEC has not moved to 9 just yet, but let's not pretend Alabama is the only school that has gone along with that.
A small sliver of schools are playing 11 and those teams aren't in real contention for a title. I'm sure you could find an exception to that rule, but the point is the country has not moved in this direction. So why does anyone want Saban to go there before most other schools?
Point being, why does it even matter what Saban does or doesn't want?
If everyone is worried about how Saban schedules then what we as fans should be doing is putting pressure on our respective ADs to schedule more quality games. I mean, it was only recently that some programs started scheduling 9 Power games on an annual basis. Arkansas, for example, doesn't have any Power schools in non-conference this year.
Who cares what Saban wants? Don't we all want more quality games?
If the only point of this exercise is to portray Saban as a hypocrite then what substance are we discussing here? Is it a matter that not everyone wants to play quality games and so they would just prefer Saban shut up about it? Is it a matter that all the top programs will simply eschew playing more opponents until Alabama does it because...by god...Alabama needs to be knocked down a peg?
What exactly are we talking about here?
Saban somewhat aside, I believe the SEC could go 10 P5 games. They are not really enforcing the 9 P5 strictly. They've made exceptions, and have accommodated independents as ooc counts. Do 10, and then allow 2 ooc picks as to whomever they choose to play (within reasonable parameters of course). There may have to be a conference(s) to get there using the 'challenge' method, similar to what has been done in bb.
Reacting to soapbox utterances by Saban, does not suggest disrespect for Alabama's success and capabilities. I understand the high esteem he holds with the fan base. I've blasted coaches mostly of schools I have attended or most enthusiastically support.
I don't want Alabama knocked down a peg based on anything outside of selective athletic competition. I just want to see, with some surprise, Georgia, South Carolina, or Mississippi State beat them on the football field, basketball court, or on the baseball diamond. Yeah, some dreaming with that.
Alabama can beat Auburn all they want. I say that just to agitate JR, but only for a Friday afternoon.
As with everything in life if you want to beat them you'll have to earn it. Parity is a fairy tale that losers like to recite. But the world doesn't operate that way and never has. In the world to become the alpha you have to beat the alpha.
Not sure what you are implying. What I reflected upon was Alabama's ooc schedule and Saban's advocacy for an all P5 schedule. If it is about same conference scheduling, parity is a reasonable aim.
As to Alabama's ooc scheduling, that doesn't look alpha, and why would you see those that challenge Saban/AD selections as losers? The AD of Texas A&M shared a different view. The AD of Wisconsin noted Saban (himself) called and scheduled a home to home with Wisconsin immediately after Cowherd's pointed criticism of Alabama's 2019 ooc schedule. There is criticism of Saban conveying that because they are Alabama, they struggle to find quality ooc components. The Washington coach (Peterson) said he would schedule a home to home with Alabama. I'll post the links if anyone wants to see them. Southern Cal apparently agrees with the "all P5" goal. They schedule strong basically, and have been doing so for a long time. Sure, in recent times the PAC12 hasn't shown their best and USC often underachieves.
My whole reaction to this is not to dwell on Saban's motives. All these coaches and ADs play these PR games. When they do, reactions happen, pro and con. And frankly, before we ever see "all P5", Saban will be retired, so no repercussions for him either way..
I concur with Gamecock that a P10 schedule format is doable. South Carolina is certainly not a loser in scheduling, predicted to have the toughest schedule in the country. No "Duke" scheduled at a neutral site, but North Carolina in Charlotte in addition to #1 Clemson. South Carolina will certainly lose games (maybe a bunch of them), but they are not avoiding the efforts either.
This isn't about South Carolina's schedule for me, but using them as an example...
Am I to believe that North Carolina is a more difficult opponent than Duke? No offense, but that's ridiculous.
South Carolina has the toughest schedule in the country because Alabama has cycled onto their SEC schedule...Georgia has become an elite program...Texas A&M is predicted to be a strong team...and Clemson is elite right now.
In other words, outside of Alabama, every single team is someone you'd be playing anyway. Outside of Clemson, every strong opponent is on your conference schedule.
If you think South Carolina's strength of schedule has anything to do with UNC or a "we take all comers" mentality then I have some ocean front property in Kansas to sell you.
To the point, Alabama will play plenty of tough squads this year. They're just all in conference.
Just one last note..."Saban" didn't schedule Wisconsin because Colin Cowherd offered some criticism that most people never heard. Wisconsin is only the most recent power program we've scheduled and they didn't throw it together at the last second out of fear that Cowherd might not be pleased.
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