Nick Saban is on the verge of getting his way on key issue; How it impacts Tennessee Football
A few months ago, it seemed like a done deal that the SEC would agree this spring to move to a nine-game conference schedule starting in 2024 (when Oklahoma and Texas join the conference). But thanks to some politicking from different folks, including Alabama head coach Nick Saban, it appears that an eight-game conference schedule […]
A few months ago, it seemed like a done deal that the SEC would agree this spring to move to a nine-game conference schedule starting in 2024 (when Oklahoma and Texas join the conference).
But thanks to some politicking from different folks, including Alabama head coach Nick Saban, it appears that an eight-game conference schedule is very much still in play.
Earlier this spring, Saban bemoaned the idea of giving Alabama three permanent conference opponents (which would be the case with a nine-game schedule), citing the Tennessee Vols' recent improvement under Josh Heupel as a reason why a nine-game schedule would be less-than-ideal for the Crimson Tide.
The Athletic's Seth Emerson reported this week that there's a "real chance" that the eight-game format (which would include one permanent rivalry game for each program) will win out.
Saban isn't alone in his push for an eight-game schedule.
According to 247Sports' Brandon Marcello, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi State, and South Carolina oppose the nine-game schedule.
The SEC's TV deal with ESPN will obviously have an impact on the scheduling decision. But if there isn't enough support for a nine-game model, then no changes will need to be made to the financial aspect of the SEC's deal with ESPN.
If Saban and the rest of the programs that oppose the nine-game model get their way, it won't necessarily be a bad thing for the Vols.
An eight-game conference schedule would allow for Tennessee to continue to schedule a Power-5 opponent of their choice along with three "gimme games" (in 2022, those games were against Ball State, Akron, and UT-Martin…in 2023, those games will be against Austin Peay, UTSA, and UConn).
With the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams next year, not having one extra SEC game on the schedule could be a big deal.
Two-loss SEC teams will likely be getting into a 12-team playoff. Three-loss SEC teams, however, probably won't be getting into the playoff. Would Tennessee prefer to have a game against Virginia or a game against Auburn (or whoever a ninth conference game would be against)? I think the answer to that is pretty easy — most non-SEC games are going to be easier for the Vols to navigate.
If the SEC moves to the eight-game model that features one game against a permanent opponent, it would likely mean the end of Tennessee's annual rivalry against Alabama.
The Crimson Tide would almost certainly receive Auburn as their permanent opponent. Tennessee would probably receive Vanderbilt (and before Saban complains about that, the Vols are 6-4 in their last 10 games against Vandy while Alabama is 7-3 in their last 10 games against Auburn).
An eight-game schedule would mean that each SEC team plays every other SEC team twice every four years.
A nine-game schedule would be more fun and would give us more conference matchups. But an eight-game schedule would be better for Tennessee's playoff hopes.
It feels like a win-win either way for fans. But I can certainly understand why some programs feel like a nine-game schedule would be disadvantageous for SEC programs and their playoff chances.
We could find out as soon as next week what kind of scheduling format the SEC will be adopting starting in 2024.
