The Alabama Crimson Tide, a perennial powerhouse in college football, have faced plenty of scrutiny in recent years—not for their on-field dominance, but for the perceived softness of their non-conference schedules. In 2024, that criticism has reached a fever pitch as Alabama’s slate includes matchups against Mercer, South Florida, Western Kentucky, and Wisconsin. Fans and analysts alike are questioning the strength of the schedule and whether the Crimson Tide are strategically sidestepping meaningful challenges in their non-conference lineup.
For a program that prides itself on being the gold standard of college football, scheduling teams like Mercer—a perennial FCS program—is a decision that has left many scratching their heads. When paired with South Florida and Western Kentucky, two middling Group of Five teams, the Crimson Tide’s non-conference slate has become an easy target for those accusing Alabama of ducking tougher competition.
Alabama’s dominance under head coach Nick Saban is unquestionable. The program has won six national championships since 2009, consistently producing elite talent and sending players to the NFL. However, the Tide’s non-conference scheduling has frequently drawn criticism, particularly in years when they opt for lower-tier opponents instead of marquee matchups.
In a sport where strength of schedule can make or break a College Football Playoff resume, Alabama’s 2024 choices have sparked heated debates. While SEC play remains the cornerstone of their schedule—and undoubtedly a gauntlet—critics argue that the non-conference slate lacks the kind of high-profile games that should define a team of Alabama’s caliber.
– **Mercer**: An FCS opponent, Mercer is no stranger to being a “cupcake” on Alabama’s schedule. The matchup does little to bolster the Crimson Tide’s playoff resume and is seen as a glorified scrimmage. For fans, this game offers little excitement, as Alabama is expected to dominate without breaking a sweat.
– **South Florida**: A Group of Five team that has struggled to find consistent success, South Florida doesn’t pose a legitimate threat to Alabama. While the Bulls have shown flashes of potential in recent years, the talent gap between the two programs is monumental.
– **Western Kentucky**: While the Hilltoppers boast a respectable offense, they remain a mid-tier Group of Five team that lacks the defensive depth to compete with Alabama. This matchup, like the others, is widely seen as another easy win for the Tide.
– **Wisconsin**: The lone Power Five opponent on Alabama’s non-conference schedule, the Badgers are transitioning under head coach Luke Fickell. While Wisconsin provides a more competitive matchup than the other three, they are hardly a top-tier program at this stage.
The backlash to Alabama’s 2024 schedule isn’t limited to rival fan bases. Even within the Crimson Tide’s passionate following, there’s a growing call for the program to take on more challenging opponents outside the SEC.
“Alabama is too good to be scheduling Mercer,” one fan wrote on social media. “Why not play a top-ten team from another conference? This doesn’t feel like the Alabama standard.”
Prominent analysts have echoed these sentiments. ESPN’s Paul Finebaum, a noted critic of SEC scheduling practices, argued that games like these undermine the integrity of the sport. “It’s hard to sell fans on the idea that every game matters when we see matchups like this,” Finebaum said.
Defenders of Alabama’s schedule argue that the rigors of SEC play justify lighter non-conference opponents. With perennial matchups against Georgia, LSU, and Tennessee, the Tide face one of the toughest conference slates in the country. Additionally, college football’s current structure incentivizes undefeated records, making the strategic scheduling of “winnable” games an understandable, if unpopular, approach.
Nick Saban himself has addressed the issue in the past, calling for a uniform scheduling model that eliminates FCS games entirely. “If we’re all playing Power Five teams, that’s fine. But until that happens, we’re going to do what’s best for our program,” Saban said.
Ultimately, Alabama’s 2024 schedule feels like a missed opportunity for the program to solidify its dominance against elite national competition. While SEC play will undoubtedly provide its fair share of challenges, the absence of a marquee non-conference opponent weakens the Tide’s case for being the nation’s most battle-tested team.
As college football continues to evolve, with expanded playoffs on the horizon and increasing pressure for stronger schedules, Alabama may soon find itself at a crossroads. For now, though, the Tide’s 2024 schedule has left fans and analysts with one overriding sentiment: “GTFOH with this nonsense.”