“Saban does not deny: The opponents are weak.”
Alabama picking Western Carolina?
If Alabama played all top 30 contenders in all their games, playing even some of these “weaker” top teams every week would wear down Alabama. Injuries are more likely to happen too because the size of the team played against. And these games most likely wouldn’t be a runaway, like much smaller, Western Carolina should be.
Alabama’s schedule reminds me of the 1982 SMU team - only undefeated team 11 - 0 - 1, and yet Penn State was national champion. SMU fans complained but their schedule had more weak teams. I don’t care one way or the other, but Saban looks like he is crying, playing it safe. And when he gets to the big game, he’ll play a team that has played among the better teams ... he’ll be surprised, and he very well may lose.
We can thank the 1984 BYU, ahemm...., Nat’l Championship team for light scheduling.
First they played in the weakest, and in those days, WACkiest conference in CFB. Then they played a 6-5 Michigan team in the Holiday Bowl.