Greg Byrne has some pruning to do.
Let’s give him a hand!
The Alabama Director of Athletics has long been clear that if the SEC moved to a nine-game football schedule, which it did on Thursday, the Crimson Tide’s contracts with future non-conference opponents would face re-evaluation. And by re-evaluation, he meant the pruning shears would be out.
During former coach Nick Saban’s tenure, Byrne struck agreements for two power-league opponents in non-conference play each year for the foreseeable future. But with Alabama now facing nine SEC games beginning in 2026, expect Byrne to peel UA’s non-conference schedules back to one power-league opponent per year by deferring contracts.
The question is, which ones?
We’re here to help, Greg.
2026: at West Virginia, home vs. Florida State. Byrne should finish out the FSU contract here, and defer the West Virginia game to … 2036? Yep, that’s the nearest year that Alabama doesn’t have any power-league opponents scheduled for non-conference play. And as Alabama’s first deferral, the Mountaineers deserve the earliest opening.
2027: home vs. West Virginia, at Ohio State. WVU probably wouldn’t be keen on a trip to Tuscaloosa a year after having its home game with the Crimson Tide pushed back. Answer: push them both back, and make that epic trip to Columbus. So, the year is 2037: West Virginia comes to T-town, Walt Maddox has been mayor for half his life, and seeks a ninth re-election.
2028: home vs. Ohio State, at Oklahoma State. Sorry, Pokes. Alabama isn’t going to deep-freeze a return home game against the Buckeyes. Off you go, and take your 2029 game against UA with you.
2029: at Notre Dame, home vs….
Source link : https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/story/sports/columns/2025/08/23/the-future-alabama-football-games-greg-byrne-should-and-shouldnt-dump/85771649007/
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Publish date : 2025-08-23 09:04:00
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