Legendary coach Nick Saban has sparked a heated debate about the College Football Playoff (CFP) format and the importance of strength of scheduling. In a passionate argument on ESPN, Saban expressed his concerns about the potential consequences of leaving Alabama out of the 12-team playoff field.
At the heart of Saban’s argument is the notion that the selection committee did not adequately value strength of scheduling. He pointed out that Alabama had a better strength of record (No. 9) and strength of schedule (16) than SMU (No. 15 and 60), which earned the final at-large playoff spot. Saban’s concerns are shared by some of college football’s top leaders, who would like to see the selection process reformed.
However, critics argue that Saban’s concerns do not apply to this year’s Alabama team. The Crimson Tide’s non-conference schedule was relatively weak, with their toughest opponent being a 5-7 Wisconsin team. In contrast, SMU scheduled more Power Four opponents (BYU and TCU) than Alabama did this season.
Moreover, Alabama’s losses to 6-6 Oklahoma and 6-6 Vanderbilt were more significant factors in their exclusion from the playoff field. If the Crimson Tide had beaten one of those teams, they likely would have made the playoff.
Saban also argued that SMU’s ranking was too high, given their lack of top 25 wins. He emphasized the challenges of playing in the SEC, where teams face a gauntlet of tough opponents week in and week out.
Ultimately, Saban’s plea for strength of schedule reform highlights a broader debate about the CFP format. While there are valid arguments on both sides, it is clear that the current system has its flaws. As the college football landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the CFP format adapts to address these concerns.
Key Takeaways:
Nick Saban argued that the selection committee did not adequately value strength of scheduling.
Saban’s concerns are shared by some of college football’s top leaders, who would like to see the selection process reformed.
Critics argue that Saban’s concerns do not apply to this year’s Alabama team, given their relatively weak non-conference schedule.
Alabama’s losses to 6-6 Oklahoma and 6-6 Vanderbilt were more significant factors in their exclusion from the playoff field.
