[Bamabeachlivin]

Apparently, UA has started sending out copies of its potential 2009 football schedule to boosters and season-ticket holders.
It's worth acknowledging because it is out there (and it does indeed mesh with some of what I'd already heard). But be warned: One UA official cautioned today that this schedule is tentative, not finalized and could change in the near future.
09/05 -- Virginia Tech (in Atlanta)
09/12 -- FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL
09/19 -- NORTH TEXAS
09/26 -- ARKANSAS
10/03 -- at Kentucky
10/10 -- at Ole Miss
10/17 -- SOUTH CAROLINA
10/24 -- TENNESSEE
11/07 -- LSU
11/14 -- at Mississippi State
11/21 -- UT-CHATTANOOGA
11/28 -- at Auburn
For what it's worth, UT-Chattanooga has confirmed that November date to the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
Story

[desertrat]

Interesting..Virginia Tech also plays Nebraska out of conference next year...props to the Hokies for taking on anyone out there!

[Bamabeachlivin]

I don't understand this why does Alabama continue to play such a weak non-conference schedule VA Tech that is good but the rest stinks if your a season ticket holder, I don't know to many who would want to watch them play these non-conference games. Plus it does nothing to help in the rankings or to get more TV time, Nick likes that for recruiting. The schedule needs at least one more top ranked team plus a Big 12 team and a PAC 10 or Big 10 team I would rather have 6 games at home and have a stronger scheldule than this....

[desertrat]

Originally Posted by Bamabeachlivin

I don't understand this why does Alabama continue to play such a weak non-conference schedule VA Tech that is good but the rest stinks if your a season ticket holder, I don't know to many who would want to watch them play these non-conference games. Plus it does nothing to help in the rankings or to get more TV time, Nick likes that for recruiting. The schedule needs at least one more top ranked team plus a Big 12 team and a PAC 10 or Big 10 team I would rather have 6 games at home and have a stronger scheldule than this....

I agree, I hate seeing the big programs bully the little guys. 95% of the time thse games are blowouts and in the end they hurt your BCS rankings...just ask Texas Tech...a team that played two FCS(formerly known as Div 1-aa) teams this past season along with SMU and Nevada. They went 11-1 and missed the BCS because of their weak scheduling.

[crimsonlass]

Also, these weaker teams are often no challenge and no fun to watch. We LIKE a challenge. And also, these kind of games rarely make it on TV and then you can only listen on the radio unless you have Gameplan, and that is expensive.

[BamaGal4ever]

I am in tune with you guys when it comes to playing weaker teams. True, the games are not as exciting. Maybe they schedule them because players need an occasional break from the "Big Dawgs". Whatever the reason, I assume that policy is not likely to change.

I am fortunate to have season tickets, so I rarely miss a game. I also have access to WVUA TV, Tuscaloosa. They replay all the Bama games on Monday nights and air the Saban press conferences in their entirety, which are held earlier on Mondays.

I just love watching Bama football! I suppose I'd find a way to get excited if they were playing BFE.

[Bamabeachlivin]

Hear is my deal with the schedule and I have felt this way for years, the BCS (witch by the way is the worst thing that has ever happened to College football) but the one thing that it did do if yall that remember was that in the beginning it made teams play stronger teams cause strength of schedule was more important than it is now. It is now about "Style Points" give me a break in other words how bad you beat the crap out of the other team or the old part of the BCS computing "margin of victory". If they are going to countinue with the BCS cash cow witch they are, BCS conferences should have to play only other BCS schools that only makes it fair in my oppion. They want it to be a members only club then make it that way (SEC,PAC-10,BIG-10,ACC,BIG-12,BIG EAST) only play non conference games with each other. It would be pretty good for College Football. I would like to see it regular season match ups with more BCS conferences playing each other since there will never be a play-off, that would make the regular season even better.

[Stoney]

I agree to a point....

Only BCS teams should be allowed into a 16 team playoff to determine the champion. This would make the minor bowls count for something and would settle the question about who is the best. Basically this would be a 10 game season with the rest of the games as playoffs. All they have to do is follow division two's example.

[Bamabeachlivin]

What about playing a stronger schedule Stoney do you agree with playing better teams or the usual three cupcakes?

Even going 12-1 Alabama really still has not gotten the repect that they should have.

[desertrat]

Originally Posted by Stoney

I agree to a point....

Only BCS teams should be allowed into a 16 team playoff to determine the champion. This would make the minor bowls count for something and would settle the question about who is the best. Basically this would be a 10 game season with the rest of the games as playoffs. All they have to do is follow division two's example.

That is an elitist point of view that discriminates against schools not in BCS conferences. There are some really bad teams in BCS conferences that aren't nearly as good as the top teams in mid-major conferences. We have seen teams like Utah and Boise State prove they can win a BCS Bowl game...why should they have no shot in a playoff format? Actually, if you go back a few years you'll find that BYU was national champs in both polls in 1984...how can you justify never allowing them to compete while BCS conference schools refuse to play these teams and instead take on FCS or bottom feeders from the mid-major conferences? In recent years we have seen some good mid-majors pull upsets over BCS schools, for instance:
Utah, Boise State, TCU, East Carolina, Southern Miss, BYU, Tulsa, Toledo, Air Force, Wyoming, Troy, Fresno State, Hawaii...etc. It wasn't so long ago that teams like South Florida, Louisville, and Connecticut weren't in a BCS conference but all 3 have been ranked this season. Perhaps there could be a system where a school can be demoted to a lesser conference and replaced by another school that has dominated play at their level...kind of like the English Soccer League does. Also, what happens to Notre Dame if only BCS Conference teams are allowed to compete? Notre Dame has won a lot of titles, hard to imagine leaving them out if they ever become great again.

[Bamabeachlivin]

Isn't the BCS an elitist organization it was designed that way they don't want any outsiders in. Just like trying to get in a Country Club. It just so happens that a few teams have been able to make it. It is one of the worst things to ever happen to College Football it is not about football any more hasn't been for years it is about revenue $$$$$$$$.

[desertrat]

Originally Posted by Bamabeachlivin

Isn't the BCS an elitist organization it was designed that way they don't want any outsiders in. Just like trying to get in a Country Club. It just so happens that a few teams have been able to make it. It is one of the worst things to ever happen to College Football it is not about football any more hasn't been for years it is about revenue $$$$$$$$.

Yes it is, it was flawed from the beginning which is why the Pac 10 and Big 10 did not join in at first. I hope that bill congress is talking about goes through and exposes the BCS for the fraud it really is. Fact: the NCAA does not recognize any FBS football title and never has...they are all mythical titles. Every other level of NCAA football has a recognized champion that had to endure a playoff to gain that title, there is no reason for this not to happen in the upper level of college football.

[Bamabeachlivin]

Originally Posted by desertrat

Yes it is, it was flawed from the beginning which is why the Pac 10 and Big 10 did not join in at first. I hope that bill congress is talking about goes through and exposes the BCS for the fraud it really is. Fact: the NCAA does not recognize any FBS football title and never has...they are all mythical titles. Every other level of NCAA football has a recognized champion that had to endure a playoff to gain that title, there is no reason for this not to happen in the upper level of college football.

Even High Schools go through a 10 game regular season and a 5 game playoff it is not like the players are not use to it. Money is what stops having a playoff cause of Six conferences want control of the money and who gets it. Seems if there was a playoff the conferences would have a better shot with more teams involved and even if your team lost a game or two they would still have a shot to make it plus keep fans interested.

[Bamabeachlivin]

"sigh" Here I go again wishing for something that is not going to happen.

[Stoney]

Originally Posted by desertrat

That is an elitist point of view that discriminates against schools not in BCS conferences. There are some really bad teams in BCS conferences that aren't nearly as good as the top teams in mid-major conferences. We have seen teams like Utah and Boise State prove they can win a BCS Bowl game...why should they have no shot in a playoff format? Actually, if you go back a few years you'll find that BYU was national champs in both polls in 1984...how can you justify never allowing them to compete while BCS conference schools refuse to play these teams and instead take on FCS or bottom feeders from the mid-major conferences? In recent years we have seen some good mid-majors pull upsets over BCS schools, for instance:
Utah, Boise State, TCU, East Carolina, Southern Miss, BYU, Tulsa, Toledo, Air Force, Wyoming, Troy, Fresno State, Hawaii...etc. It wasn't so long ago that teams like South Florida, Louisville, and Connecticut weren't in a BCS conference but all 3 have been ranked this season. Perhaps there could be a system where a school can be demoted to a lesser conference and replaced by another school that has dominated play at their level...kind of like the English Soccer League does. Also, what happens to Notre Dame if only BCS Conference teams are allowed to compete? Notre Dame has won a lot of titles, hard to imagine leaving them out if they ever become great again.

Then let them earn one of two at large spots determined by the AP and coaches. We need the playoff system to end this debacle. There are 10 teams who will get screwed by this system five of which will have as legitimate claim to the National Championship.