When the SEC adds the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners to the conference ahead of the 2024 college football season, the league is set to expand to a nine-game conference schedule. And while Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban is a fan of the move to nine conference games, he’s not really thrilled about which games his team will be playing.
When the league expands to nine games, Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated reported that it’s expected Alabama will play the Tennessee Volunteers, the Auburn Tigers and the LSU Tigers every season. And Nick Saban is not a fan of that.
“I’ve always been an advocate for playing more (conference) games,” Saban told Dellenger. “But if you play more games, I think you have to get the three fixed (opponents) right. They’re giving us Tennessee, Auburn and LSU. I don’t know how they come to that (decision).”
Naturally, Saban did not get a lot of compassion from the college football world for his complaint, who blasted him on Twitter as a result.
I also think poor beleaguered Alabama should not be forced to play LSU every year. Great point, Nick. #JusticeforSaban https://t.co/iQUsU3OJFo
— Ryan Ginn (@rmginn) March 3, 2023
I mean, anything that DIDN'T result in Bama getting Tennessee, Auburn and either LSU or MSU would have been kinda odd, right? https://t.co/lukuflImi2
— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) March 3, 2023
Breaking out the world’s tiniest violin https://t.co/qWp8zWHMsF
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) March 3, 2023
Let's be honest… these seem like the logical 3, right? I get that he wants at least one easier opponent, but those 3 are moneymakers every season. All are almost guaranteed 4M viewers+, regardless of circumstances. https://t.co/bas0rqLqhc
— Gary Segars (@GaryWCE) March 3, 2023
they probably came to it by realizing Mississippi St could not, in fact, play Ole Miss, LSU, Auburn, Alabama, Texas A&M, Kentucky and Arkansas as permanent rivals https://t.co/RZNphVCyqU
— Jerry Hinnen (@JerryHinnen) March 3, 2023
lol. ROFL. "we should move to 9 conference games"
Nick Saban: No, not like that. Give us the easier games then go to 9 conf. games.
TN, Aub, and LSU makes complete sense. https://t.co/dltzt0rW5n
— Big Ten football 3-6-6. Announcement by summer (@Genetics56) March 3, 2023
As many pointed out, not only would this actually be a very fair scheduling decision, but it is also one of the only logical outcomes for Alabama. So Saban will likely just have to deal with it.
