We have all, rightly, engaged in a considerable amount of handwringing over OSU's strength of schedule for the 2013 season. But a quick peek ahead to 2013 shows that perhaps Alabama should be worried. Their non-conference schedule includes two FCS teams (Ga State & Chattanooga) in addition to Colorado State and Va Tech. They'll also play the two worst teams from the SEC East (Kentucky and Tennessee), both of which have new head coaches. Here's their complete 2013 schedule with their opponents 2012 records.
Aug. 31 Virginia Tech (7-6)
Sept. 14 at Texas A&M (11-2)
Sept. 21 Colorado State (4-8)
Sept. 28 Ole Miss (7-6)
Oct. 5 Georgia State***
Oct. 12 at Kentucky (2-10)
Oct. 19 Arkansas (4-8)
Oct. 26 Tennessee (5-7)
Nov. 9 LSU (10-3)
Nov. 16 at Mississippi State (8-5)
Nov. 23 Chattanooga***
Nov. 30 at Auburn (3-9)
The total record for their 2013 FBS opponents is 61-64.
*** Indicates and FCS opponent. I didn't include their record because of the way the computer rankings tend to value wins against FCS opponents. In short, they're quality is usually measured at about the same as a 1-11 or 2-10 FBS opponent.
wow the dodge fla ga n usc. Talk about lucky missing the 3 best east teams.
O'Deez330
stark county football
Not their fault that VA Tech, Tennessee and Arkansas are down.
Chattanooga and Ga State are totally their fault ---- heard their AD is Gene Smith's cousin
Soooo you're saying alabama will be undefeated next year? Becuase I'll tell you right now, they could probably play 12 FCS teams and they'd still end up in the title game due to public/media perception driving their ranking in the polls
Considering Bama could return 8 starters on both O and D (most likely not, but will reload) we may be seeing them in the Championship game next year. Start scouting.
I would much rather have our schedule than theirs...
They play LSU, Texas A&M (who will be really good next year), VA Tech could be decent (haha) and whoever they get in the SEC Championship (if they make it) will be much better than whoever we play. Would you rather play Mich/MSU/Nebraska or Florida/Georgia/South Carolina? It's not a strong of a schedule as other SEC programs like Florida, but it's still stronger than ours.
The best team we play is UM. If they make it to the SEC championship than they have at least 3 teams on their schedule that are better than our best opponent.
Other than individual pride there is really no reason for them to not play a bunch of bad non-conference opponents. Because of the voter's love of everything SEC there will be a host of undeserving ranked teams in the SEC that they will play and then when people look towards who makes the BCS game they can say "but we beat 5 ranked teams." In reality those SEC teams will be ranked only because they play in the SEC and also play crappy non-conference games bolstering their record.
A&M also avoids the top three from the East. They drew Vandy (9-4) and Mizzou (5-7). Their non-conference opponents are Rice (7-6), Sam Houston (FCS), SMU (7-6), and UTEP (3-9).
That's ok Bamas season will be done week 2 when they lose to A&M
That'll probably be a game between two top 5 teams so even if they lose they won't drop far, just like this year
You have to hand it to LSU, though. They play both Florida and Georgia and added TCU to their non-conference schedule.