Scarlet and Game
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Ohio State Football: 4th and short, questions following week 2

By Blake Biscardi

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 08: Tate Martell #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes breaks free on a 47-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter of the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Ohio Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 52-3. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 08: Tate Martell #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes breaks free on a 47-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter of the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Ohio Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 52-3. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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TUSCALOOSA, AL – SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on during the game against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL – SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on during the game against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Q: Why does Alabama get so much respect when they a) hand-pick their schedule b) play such a rigged/soft schedule?

A: There is no question that Nick Saban has built a juggernaut in Tuscaloosa. Alabama has been the most dominant program in recent history and not to discount their accolades, but they have a strategically laid out schedule every season.

  1. The Crimson Tide has played only two true road non-conference games in the last decade, instead they play a big-named school at a neutral site.
  2. The week before LSU is usually always a bye week for the Tide, giving them extra time to heal and rest up as well as prepare for a gritty old school football game against a conference foe.
  3. An FCS or lesser opponent is slated for the week before the Iron Bowl for the same reasons as the bye week before LSU.

This is socially acceptable and a “pass” is awarded to the Tide because again and again they prove themselves to be the standard on the biggest stages. Virtually speaking, they do not care who they play; their mindset is we are better and try to beat us.

You have to beat the man in order to be the man. Alabama has yet to be overthrown in the Saban era, but they have been knocked off their pedestal; they have just regained in time and time again.

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