Ben Axelrod talked about scheduling with Martin Jarmond, the outgoing deputy director of athletics, and came up with this interesting tidbit about why the Buckeyes won't be scheduling Alabama any time soon:
Jarmond explained that the Buckeyes typically take a two-pronged approach when it comes to scheduling premier games:
- Does Ohio State possess a strong fan presence or alumni base in the prospective opponent’s region?
- Is the Buckeyes coaching staff actively recruiting the area?
In the case of the Crimson Tide, neither factor applies.
I thought it was an interesting look into the scheduling process. I think you could've added two more reasons to the list, though: 3) SEC teams don't like leaving the south, and 4) We'll be seeing Bama enough in the playoff, anyway.
