SEC not altering schedule
Saban wants ninth game, but plan put on hold
DESTIN, FLA. Alabama football coach Nick Saban represents one side of the debate on whether the Southeastern Conference should play a nine-game conference schedule. But his view is not a popular one. “I’m absolutely in the minority, no question about it,” he said.
Vanderbilt’s James Franklin, representing the other side, said he was “married to the eight-game schedule,” calling it “the thing I’m pounding the table about.”
SEC Commissioner Mike Slive said Tuesday that the discussion wouldn’t be put to a vote this week during the league’s annual meetings, saying the conference would retain its current eight-game schedule at least through the 2014 season.
But several factors have combined to force consideration of a change. Those include the SEC’s recent expansion to 14 teams and the league’s new deal with ESPN for the SEC Network, which will need inventory. But the most important factor might be the change in postseason format in 2014 to the four-team College Football Playoff — and to a playoff selection committee that likely will emphasize strength of schedule.
Though the SEC has won the last seven national titles, the Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac-12 play nine-game league schedules. Atlantic Coast Conference teams play eight conference games but will add Notre Dame for five games each season. There’s impetus to have apples-to-apples comparisons for the selection committee.
Except, of course, that the SEC considers its apples to be bigger and better. Arkansas athletics director Jeff Long, who favors retaining the eight-game schedule, said, “They’re chasing us. We’re the leaders. I don’t think we should be making changes solely because the Big Ten and Pac-12 have.”
Long ’s new coach, Bret Bielema, said, “I think any coach, if he’s speaking truthfully and honestly, you’re gonna prefer the eight-(game schedule). I understand the reason behind the nine-, but … if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
In 2012, the SEC led the nation in average attendance for the 15th consecutive year. But the average (75,538) also dropped for the fourth consecutive year. The SEC has formed a working group to try to address the issue, and Saban said coaches should consider the issue when making non-conference schedules and considering changes to the conference schedule.
“I shouldn’t be for it,” he said. “We’d have a better chance to be successful if we didn’t do it. But I think it’s best for the game and for the league.”