Schedule Gives Bama Huge Advantage Over LSU

[DiderotsGhost]

I was taking a look at the schedules this season and it's really clear how problematic a 14-team league can be. If you look at Alabama and LSU, you can see that it's going to be really difficult for LSU to win the SEC, even if they are the best team.

Alabama only plays two top 25 teams all year: #12 LSU and #7 Texas A&M. In the East division, they have their rivalry with us, but even more importantly, they drew Kentucky this year. While I'd love to see us beat Bama this year, I still think we're middle of the pack at this point. Meanwhile, Kentucky may be the worst in the SEC.

Compare that to LSU, which faces five top 25 teams this year (one was OOC). LSU gets Florida and Georgia from the East, on top of facing Bama and A&M.

I keep hearing about how a 9-game schedule is inevitable, but personally, I don't want to see that. A better solution would be to not count the games from the opposite division in the SEC standings. Make it so that the division round robin (6 games) are the only ones that count to determine who makes it to the SEC championship game. Tiebreaker (after direct wins and losses) can be higher ranked team in the BCS.

Just seems like the current format is pretty terrible. LSU could be the best team in the nation this year, but they'll have a much harder time getting to the SEC championship game than Bama because of the current format, which requires them to play two of the best teams in the nation, while Bama gets to play a middle-of-the-pack Vols team, and an SEC bottom feeder in Kentucky.

P.S. Alabama's schedule is really kind of a joke. Even looking beyond the SEC games, they effectively play two I-AA (FCS) teams. They go against UT-Chattanooga, but they also have Georgia State, which is a "transitional FBS team" this year. But Georgia State went 1-10 last year in FCS, so in reality, their talent level is closer to the bottom rungs of FCS.

 

[bamawriter]

A nine game schedule would be infinitely better than only counting division games. If we're only counting division games, then we should realign the divisions based on parity or split and form two conferences.

 

[hmanvolfan]

Hey look, Les Miles has become a Volnation member.

 

[TrueOrange]

Hey look, Les Miles has become a Volnation member.

Dunno, could be Spurrier; sounds more like his idea. Les just wants to not play Florida.

 

[LSU-SIU]

LSU on average plays 2-4 more ranked teams than Bama, you can cry about it or you can just go win the games. As far as I am concern the SEC is just attempting to hand over the trophy every year.

LSU's schedule this year is not as bad as it was in 2012 or for that matter 2011 (which to me was probably one of the toughest since the beginning of the BCS), at some point the SEC is going to have to address this or they will lose credibility... until then the Tigers just need to win whoever they are playing.

 

[TUSKtimes]

As far as I am concern the SEC is just attempting to hand over the trophy every year.

21 to 0!

Then there are times we just take it anyway.

 

[TideWarrior]

LSU on average plays 2-4 more ranked teams than Bama, you can cry about it or you can just go win the games. As far as I am concern the SEC is just attempting to hand over the trophy every year.

LSU's schedule this year is not as bad as it was in 2012 or for that matter 2011 (which to me was probably one of the toughest since the beginning of the BCS), at some point the SEC is going to have to address this or they will lose credibility... until then the Tigers just need to win whoever they are playing.

Curious here when did the SEC start scheduling OOC games for teams. I know they control in conference. But do not bring up conspiracy here.

Lets also look at the past years at the number of ranked teams each played in conference.

2012 LSU 5 UA 3
2011 LSU 5 UA 4
2010 LSU 4 UA 6
2009 LSU 3 UA 3
2008 LSU 4 UA 3

With the exception of 2012 it is has been maybe 1 more ranked team or even. And where were you in 2010 when UA not only faced 6 ranked conference opponents but the SEC allowed 4 or 5 of them to have bye weeks before the game.

Several things need to be reminded here. LSU fixed crossover game is UF, UA is UT. No one can help how either programs has fared but the fan bases want the game. I know LSU fans want UA to drop that game since UT is not ranked. But UT is on their way back up. UK getting added to our schedule when UGA was suppose to did not make UA fans happy this year and one of the reasons Saban has been the main HC pushing for 9 conference games. At least UA picks UF up next year.

Just curious since the REC and SEC are making the schedule together what is your thinking for next year. The conference schedules besides each playing our west division games have both playing UF, but LSU plays UK and UA plays UT. Who has the tougher conference opponents? Just curious.

 

[Lawrence Wright]

Tennessee's fall from the SEC elite has more to do with Bama's easy schedule than some SEC conspiracy.

Bama's schedule is easier because they play you guys every year. When Butch Jones turns things around, threads like this will cease to exist.

 

[MockingVol]

21 to 0!

Then there are times we just take it anyway.

I'm not quite sure what you are talking about... You must be one of the less literate bummer fans.

In any case, if you watched both your game and the LSU game I would be very scared. Unless Bammer makes a big turn around I don't see y'all beating LSU, your O-line is average and your DB's are more suited to run support then being lockdown guys.

 

[LSU-SIU]

Curious here when did the SEC start scheduling OOC games for teams. I know they control in conference. But do not bring up conspiracy here.

Lets also look at the past years at the number of ranked teams each played in conference.

2012 LSU 5 UA 3
2011 LSU 5 UA 4
2010 LSU 4 UA 6
2009 LSU 3 UA 3
2008 LSU 4 UA 3

Who said anything about "conspiracy", not me you gump. Bama's schedule is cupcake, if you don't want to schedule real teams, that is all and fine but don't come in here and say your team has anything but a cupcake schedule.

I see you bring in SEC schedule, it's their non-SEC is even worse, it's cupcake to an extreme.... that is fine and dandy but it is cupcake scheduling. As far as what I said it's right on the mark 2-4 more ranked opponents a year.

Here is just 2011 schedules:
Alabama 2011 Schedule - Crimson Tide Home and Away - ESPN

LSU 2011 Schedule - Tigers Home and Away - ESPN

All I have said is the SEC needs to address it, or there will be problems.... other than that play ball. It needs to be addressed, until then I for one don't want to hear excuses. Now, if you don't like my comment about cupcake schedule, how about Bama schedule some real opponents outside of their SEC schedule? That is something they directly control, until then they have a powder puff schedule like they do most years. The SEC basically just gives the West to Bama now, what's worse is it looks like LSU is going to have to beat Bama twice a year. :mf_surrender:

So, to me there is three issues in this thread and even possible four.

1.) The SEC schedules LSU-Florida
2.) Alabama's SEC East schedule is usually cupcake
3.) Alabama usually schedules cupcake non-SEC schedule
4.) The BCS allows a one loss Bama (with weak schedule) to trump other conferences, which makes very little sense.

Now all of this is not controlled by Bama or the SEC, but until Bama has a tough schedule... they are playing a powder puff schedule.

Bama schedule strength #79
2013 College Football: Ranking the strength of schedule of each team, 1-126 : Gamedayr

#40
Phil Steele’s 2013 College Football Strength of Schedule Rankings

#78
College Football Strength of Schedule Computer Rankings for Preseason 2013

 

[bamawriter]

Who said anything about "conspiracy", not me you gump. Bama's schedule is cupcake, if you don't want to schedule real teams, that is all and fine but don't come in here and say your team has anything but a cupcake schedule.

I see you bring in SEC schedule, it's their non-SEC is even worse, it's cupcake to an extreme.... that is fine and dandy but it is cupcake scheduling. As far as what I said it's right on the mark 2-4 more ranked opponents a year.

Arguing scheduling inequality based on OOC is incredibly stupid. No one made LSU schedule Oregon and WVU in 2011. No one made LSU schedule Furman this year.

All I have said is the SEC needs to address it, or there will be problems.... other than that play ball. It needs to be addressed, until then I for one don't want to hear excuses. Now, if you don't like my comment about cupcake schedule, how about Bama schedule some real opponents outside of their SEC schedule? That is something they directly control, until then they have a powder puff schedule like they do most years. The SEC basically just gives the West to Bama now, what's worse is it looks like LSU is going to have to beat Bama twice a year. :mf_surrender:

How do you want to see the SEC address the issue? We can't play a 13 game schedule that would allow for a pure round robin, which is the only way to eliminate inequality. Barring that, the only option is a rotating cross-division schedule.

So, to me there is three issues in this thread and even possible four.

1.) The SEC schedules LSU-Florida
2.) Alabama's SEC East schedule is usually cupcake
3.) Alabama usually schedules cupcake non-SEC schedule
4.) The BCS allows a one loss Bama (with weak schedule) to trump other conferences, which makes very little sense.

1. I don't know anyone associated with Alabama who thinks that LSU must play UF every year. Personally, I've argued many times for locking in the TSIO and the DSOR and let the other 10 teams rotate both cross-division games. The Pac 12 and Big 10 have similar setups, and there's no reason the SEC couldn't make it happen.

2. Define "usually." I will grant you that Bama's East pairings in '12 and '13 were/are easier than LSU's. But it's hardly our fault that Missouri requested to host us in their first season.

But, in 2011 Bama and LSU played identical East opponents, except that Bama got Vandy while LSU got UK. That Vanderbilt team trounced that UK team. So LSU got the better end of that deal.

In 2010, Bama and LSU also had identical East opponents, except that Bama got South Carolina while LSU got a Vanderbilt that finished 2-10. Not only that, but the SEC allowed for a scheduling anomaly that forced Bama to play 6 SEC opponents coming off of bye weeks. Once again, LSU got the easier schedule.

In 2009, LSU got another 2-10 Vanderbilt team, coupled with a UGA team that finished 7-5. The 7-5 Tennessee team that Bama played absolutely creamed UGA. LSU did have the misfortune of playing 12-0 Florida. But in the end, LSU's East opponents combined to go 21-15 and so did Bama's. Given the aforementioned stomping that Tennessee laid on UGA, I think it's fair to say that Bama won the tie-breaker.

I could go back further, but I think I've proven my point.

3. Since Saban's first year, Bama has played, or will play, Florida State, Clemson, Virginia Tech (x2), Penn State (x2), Michigan, West Virginia, Wisconin, and Michigan State (x2). While there's no way to know about WVU, Wisconsin, and MSU yet, all of those teams were ranked except for Virginia Tech on Saturday. And only one game against PSU and MSU will have been played in Tuscaloosa.

4. The BCS "allowed" it because the majority of pollsters voted Bama into the game. Your problem isn't with the system, you just disagree with people's opinions based on watching the games.

 

[TideWarrior]

Who said anything about "conspiracy", not me you gump. Bama's schedule is cupcake, if you don't want to schedule real teams, that is all and fine but don't come in here and say your team has anything but a cupcake schedule.

I see you bring in SEC schedule, it's their non-SEC is even worse, it's cupcake to an extreme.... that is fine and dandy but it is cupcake scheduling. As far as what I said it's right on the mark 2-4 more ranked opponents a year.

Here is just 2011 schedules:
Alabama 2011 Schedule - Crimson Tide Home and Away - ESPN

LSU 2011 Schedule - Tigers Home and Away - ESPN

All I have said is the SEC needs to address it, or there will be problems.... other than that play ball. It needs to be addressed, until then I for one don't want to hear excuses. Now, if you don't like my comment about cupcake schedule, how about Bama schedule some real opponents outside of their SEC schedule? That is something they directly control, until then they have a powder puff schedule like they do most years. The SEC basically just gives the West to Bama now, what's worse is it looks like LSU is going to have to beat Bama twice a year. :mf_surrender:

So, to me there is three issues in this thread and even possible four.

1.) The SEC schedules LSU-Florida
2.) Alabama's SEC East schedule is usually cupcake
3.) Alabama usually schedules cupcake non-SEC schedule
4.) The BCS allows a one loss Bama (with weak schedule) to trump other conferences, which makes very little sense.

Now all of this is not controlled by Bama or the SEC, but until Bama has a tough schedule... they are playing a powder puff schedule.

Bama schedule strength #79
2013 College Football: Ranking the strength of schedule of each team, 1-126 : Gamedayr

#40
Phil Steele’s 2013 College Football Strength of Schedule Rankings

#78
College Football Strength of Schedule Computer Rankings for Preseason 2013

You said the SEC needs to address it, but the SEC is not responsible for OOC games. So my question was why is the SEC at fault for OOC games.

Saban always plays 1 or 2 games against former coaches for their program. Does it benefit UA of course but lets also remember Saban wants 9 SEC games Miles does not. And when scheduling OOC games years in advance who knows how a WVU, VT, or Michigan will be in the future.

So to address your 4 topics there.

1) UA-UT SEC schedules

2) Again not our fault the SEC takes UGA off our schedule this year and replaces them with UK. But you still did not address next year when UA picks up UF and LSU picks up UK. Not sure how that is any different in scheduling.

3) Already mentioned the main reason for those games but lets look at next year between the two teams.

LSU OOC Wisconsin, Sam Houston State, ULM, and NM State.

UA OOC West Virginia, Fla Atlantic, WCU, and TBD on the last one.

Really do not see LSU having so much of a tougher OOC schedule next year. Maybe I am missing it here.

4) A LSU fan is going to complain about a 1 loss UA team making it to the BCS when in 2007 a 2 loss LSU team made it after losing to a bad Arkansas team and UK, both who finished the season 8-5. At least in 2011 we lost to the #1 team in the country by 3 points and later beat them in the rematch.

So I think any concern by LSU fans in the future may be rival fans saying same thing about their schedule.:toast:

 

[TUSKtimes]

I'm not quite sure what you are talking about... You must be one of the less literate bummer fans.

In any case, if you watched both your game and the LSU game I would be very scared. Unless Bammer makes a big turn around I don't see y'all beating LSU, your O-line is average and your DB's are more suited to run support then being lockdown guys.

That's because no one snatched a national championship from your grasp lately. So I could see you a little confused and out of your element.

And you have all knowledge after one game of a long, long, season? After that austin peay extravaganza, you got to be down right giddy over what's coming?

 

[LSU-SIU]

"Really do not see LSU having so much of a tougher OOC schedule next year. Maybe I am missing it here."

More or less, year in year out... LSU has a tough schedule, with or without a strong OOC.

What you are doing is getting mad because I am calling Bama's schedule "cupcake", sorry not much I can do about it... but it is cupcake. Some of it they can control, some of it they can't but it is "cupcake". At the end of the day, the SEC needs to address scheduling, or it will end badly I suspect. Until then play ball, win on the field or lose on the field. I believe LSU and Florida will be turning the heat up on this issue.... if Bama wants to continue to have a weak OOC that is their business, but I am not going to call their schedule tough.

 

[TUSKtimes]

"Really do not see LSU having so much of a tougher OOC schedule next year. Maybe I am missing it here."

More or less, year in year out... LSU has a tough schedule, with or without a strong OOC.

What you are doing is getting mad because I am calling Bama's schedule "cupcake", sorry not much I can do about it... but it is cupcake. Some of it they can control, some of it they can't but it is "cupcake". At the end of the day, the SEC needs to address scheduling, or it will end badly I suspect. Until then play ball, win on the field or lose on the field. I believe LSU and Florida will be turning the heat up on this issue.... if Bama wants to continue to have a weak OOC that is their business, but I am not going to call their schedule tough.

While your turning up all this heat of indignation, keep in mind that texas a&m whiffs on GA, USCe, Florida. So does Ole Miss. USCe whiffs on the west big three, Bama, A&M, LSU. GA has been whiffing for past few years.

Your argument suggest that Tennessee is going to stay down and is creating a conspiracy among the SEC. Interesting argument, why don't you tell everyone why you personally feel that way?

 

[bamawriter]

"Really do not see LSU having so much of a tougher OOC schedule next year. Maybe I am missing it here."

More or less, year in year out... LSU has a tough schedule, with or without a strong OOC.

What you are doing is getting mad because I am calling Bama's schedule "cupcake", sorry not much I can do about it... but it is cupcake. Some of it they can control, some of it they can't but it is "cupcake". At the end of the day, the SEC needs to address scheduling, or it will end badly I suspect. Until then play ball, win on the field or lose on the field. I believe LSU and Florida will be turning the heat up on this issue.... if Bama wants to continue to have a weak OOC that is their business, but I am not going to call their schedule tough.

As I've already pointed out, LSU really has only played a tougher conference schedule than Alabama this year and last, and will likely have an easier one next year.

To your point about OOC games, that's not entirely accurate either. Since 2007, here are the BCS teams both Bama and LSU have played OOC:

2007:
LSU -#9 Va Tech (finished 10-3, #9)
Bama - #22 FSU in Jacksonville (finished 7-6, UR)
Advantage LSU

2008:
LSU - No BCS opponents. Best OOC win was Troy.
Bama - #9 Clemson in Atlanta (finished 7-6, UR)
Advantage Bama

2009:
LSU - @ Washington (finished 5-7, UR)
Bama - #7 Va Tech in Atlanta (finished 10-3, #10)
Advantage Bama

2010:
LSU - #18 UNC in Atlanta (finished 8-5, UR)
- #22 WVU (finished 9-4, UR)
Bama - #18 Penn State (finished 7-6, UR)
- @ Duke (finished 3-9, UR)
Advantage LSU

2011:
LSU - #3 Oregon in Dallas (finished 12-2, #4)
- @ #16 WVU (finished 10-3. #17)
Bama - @ #23 Penn St (finished 9-4, #23)
Advantage LSU, and LSU should be given credit for one of the toughest OOCs of all time

2012:
LSU - Washington (finished 7-6, UR)
Bama - #8 Michigan in Dallas (finished 8-5, #24)
Advantage Bama

So this stuff about Bama perpetually having an easier OOC slate than LSU is complete crap.

 

[vols_fan_68]

That's because no one snatched a national championship from your grasp lately. So I could see you a little confused and out of your element.

And you have all knowledge after one game of a long, long, season? After that austin peay extravaganza, you got to be down right giddy over what's coming?

Serious question, can a rival fan be a smart ass like this on the bammer forum without getting banned?

Just curious, not that I would ever stoop low enough to troll other boards...

 

[TideWarrior]

Serious question, can a rival fan be a smart ass like this on the bammer forum without getting banned?

Just curious, not that I would ever stoop low enough to troll other boards...

Yes if on a board created for rival fans to post, but not in the main football forum.

 

[BeecherVol]

Tennessee's fall from the SEC elite has more to do with Bama's easy schedule than some SEC conspiracy.

Bama's schedule is easier because they play you guys every year. When Butch Jones turns things around, threads like this will cease to exist.

#bUTchgetsit#

 

[TUSKtimes]

Serious question, can a rival fan be a smart ass like this on the bammer forum without getting banned?

Just curious, not that I would ever stoop low enough to troll other boards...

Trolling is often brought up when you give what you get. But point/counterpoint does seem to bug a lot of people. Like you.

 

[GAVol]

LSU on average plays 2-4 more ranked teams than Bama, you can cry about it or you can just go win the games. As far as I am concern the SEC is just attempting to hand over the trophy every year.

LSU's schedule this year is not as bad as it was in 2012 or for that matter 2011 (which to me was probably one of the toughest since the beginning of the BCS), at some point the SEC is going to have to address this or they will lose credibility... until then the Tigers just need to win whoever they are playing.

That is so homerifically asinine that I don't know where to begin. I'm guessing that you never minded Bama having Tennessee on the schedule from about 1989-2007.

 

[LSU-SIU]

So this stuff about Bama perpetually having an easier OOC slate than LSU is complete crap.

LSU and Florida have a raw deal only a idiot Gump would say otherwise.... cupcake buddy.... I am waiting on them to schedule the Community College next.

 

[LSU-SIU]

That is so homerifically asinine that I don't know where to begin. I'm guessing that you never minded Bama having Tennessee on the schedule from about 1989-2007.

I'm sure LSU would have no problem switching Florida for the Vols, either way Bama has a cupcake schedule, as is the norm over the past 4 to 5 years. This year is just laughable. With that said, I am not crying over it... play the games... but if it's not addressed soon there will be problems. Wait till TAM has to beat Alabama twice.

 

[bamawriter]

LSU and Florida have a raw deal only a idiot Gump would say otherwise.... cupcake buddy.... I am waiting on them to schedule the Community College next.

I just detailed how you are wrong. Either post something that disputes the facts I've presented, or all you're doing is pissing and moaning. You had bad luck in '12 and '13, and that's it. And it swings right back into your favor next year.

 

[bamawriter]

I'm sure LSU would have no problem switching Florida for the Vols, either way Bama has a cupcake schedule, as is the norm over the past 4 to 5 years. This year is just laughable. With that said, I am not crying over it... play the games... but if it's not addressed soon there will be problems. Wait till TAM has to beat Alabama twice.

You just have some dust in your eyes, right?