Former Alabama greats take strong stance on 9-game SEC schedule

 

Among the hot topics this week during SEC Spring Meetings in Destin is that of an 8-game SEC schedule vs. a 9-game SEC schedule.

 

A couple of former Alabama greats chimed in this week and made their opinions very clear.

 

Two-time national champions AJ McCarron and Trent Richardson, who debuted along with The Voice of the Crimson Tide Chris Stewart on “The Dynasty” podcast, pulled no punches.

 

“Are we the best (conference) from top to bottom?” McCarron asked. “I would say yes. If you’re scheduling more games against yourself, it ends up hurting you more than it helps you.”

 

The quarterback pointed out the downsize far outweighs the positives.

 

“You get fired at a big SEC school because you don’t win a national championship,” he added. “You add this ninth in-conference game. You lose that game when you should’ve won that game. Now, it knocks you out of the seeding for the playoffs.

 

“Does that hurt your conference or help your conference?”

 

Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer was among those asked about the scheduling debate this week. DeBoer said he was “to open for whatever.”

 

McCarron and Richardson were a little assertive.

 

“It’s about the game,” Richardson said. “Why do we put these kids out there to destroy each other when we want to have another bid in the playoff?”

 

The former running back took a step further by suggesting if a ninth conference game was added, the league should eliminate the SEC Championship Game.

 

Alabama is +500 over on FanDuel to win the SEC. Our guide to Alabama’s championship odds provides a deeper look at their chances to win it all, as well as their other futures bets.

 

Check out the full podcast.

 

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Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.

 

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