Is Dabo right about Alabama’s lack of strength in scheduling? What could have happened if the two teams switched scheduling during the 2018 year?

Dabo calls for respect

Dabo Swinney, head coach of the Clemson Tigers football program, had a lot to say about Alabama. Swinney and the Tigers come off the second ever 15-0 season in college football season with the 44-16 win. After the dismantling of the Tide, many claim that Alabama grew ‘tired’ throughout the game.

On Wednesday, August 6, 2019, Swinney was quoted as saying, “The SEC is a great conference, but I don’t think they have been as deep as the last few years. I think they have had two or three really good teams and then its been hit or miss from there. It’s an awesome league, for sure, and I know people say that Alabama was tired because they went through the grind and had to play all these teams. Well, they won by an average of 33.1 points per game (going into playoffs), so they ought to be well rested.” (per Bleacher Report)

Dabo mentions the fizzling of many teams that use to dominate the SEC atmosphere even in the last 10 years. Teams such as Arkansas, Florida (on the rise), Ole Miss, etc. have dropped due too coaching changes and poor recruiting. The points per game that Dabo mentions entails that the league was a fluke. Is it that Alabama is just that dominate?

Swinney mentions one more comment, “My thing on that is, ‘Are you serious? They’re tired?’ Then you look at Clemson, and we won 12 games by 20-plus (points). Who really challenged Alabama in the SEC? They didn’t get challenged by anybody until the Georgia game (in the SEC championship).”

A Schedule Swap

Both teams entered the CFP National Championship game with a 14-0 record. However, whose schedule was more tough? Alabama had a margin of victory with 33.1 points per game. Clemson had 12 games with 20-plus point wins, but who would benefit more from a schedule swap?

Alabama did perform against many former top-tier teams in the 2018-2019 season. However, many are former teams, such as Louisville, Ole Miss, Arkansas, and Tennessee. The teams that Alabama had worries against were Texas A&M, LSU, Auburn, and Georgia (before the CFP).

Alabama beat TAMU 45-23, LSU 29-0, Auburn 52-21, and Georgia, 35-28. These being some of the toughest coming out of Alabama’s schedule, why are the scores telling otherwise?

The Breakdown

Many ask why Texas A&M may be here, however do not forget that Clemson barely beat Kellen Mond at the Aggies by two points in a 28-26 thriller at Kyle Field. At the end of the first half, Saban and his team had a 31-14 lead over Mond along with two interceptions. The Tide put up 524 total yards, 415 of them coming through the air. Saban and co. also held the ball for only 27 minutes compared to the Aggies 32 minutes. This only came two weeks after the Tigers scraped out of Kyle Field with a win. Did the defense suffocate Mond and the Aggie offense or did Clemson get lax on an ‘On the rise program; in the Aggies?

A 29-0 win certainly not be amongst the quota of ‘great teams’ should it? It should, LSU only lost three games in 2018 to Florida, Texas A&M, and Alabama. LSU, down 20-19, in the final two minutes against Florida went driving. Before tossing a pick-six, Burrow could have a clinched the game with even a chip-shot field goal. Alabama flexed their defensive muscle, with holding the Tigers to under 200 total yards and no points. Texas A&M and LSU met in an epic matchup that had both teams going seven overtimes in any excitable 74-72 win for the Aggies. One small change in two of the three losses could have had LSU knocking on the door of the CFP.

Auburn is always a top leader to potentially knock off the Tide, whether they rank nationally or not. Auburn ranked 14th during the season for points scored on them per game. Also from 2009-2018, Alabama or Auburn has appeared in the National Championship game every year except for one. Auburn has also produced several NFL talents on the defensive side of the ball including Nick Fairley, Carl Lawson, Deshaun Davis, and more.

Georgia has been a known competitor of Saban and the Tide since the arrival of Kirby Smart. Kirby Smart has produced a top three recruiting class the past three years along being top-12 since 2013. The Dawgs rose to the top in 2017 beating Auburn in the SEC championship and then advancing to the National Championship. Georgia would ultimately lose to, then back-up Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and Alabama 26-23. However, Georgia would compete in the SEC championship three straight times. Kirby and the Dawgs are not going away with the SEC East division lacking completion and will be a mainstay for Saban.

Dabo takes on an SEC schedule

Now, what if Alabama and Clemson switched their schedules during 2018? Would Clemson be ‘worn-out’ or ‘tired’ coming into the championship game? Alabama played nine Power-5 teams during the regular season and then two more during the playoffs before they faced off against Clemson. Clemson competed in 10 P5 games in 2018, with two more in the playoffs. Texas A&M ranks as the top defense the Tigers played heading into the post season as No. 32, the next top? Non-P5 opponent, Georgia Southern at 41, while many ACC opponent defenses landed in between the 50-70 ranks nationally. Alabama amassed six top-50 defenses during the regular season and saw two more during the post season.

Alabama beat opponents by 33.1 ppg in the 2018, is this a flex of their new offensive muscle, or simple their defense putting pressure on their foes? One can only imagine what would happen if Dabo and the Tigers contributes to an SEC schedule. What if they made an appearance against teams such as LSU or Auburn year in and out? This leads back to Dabo’s comment of: ‘They’re tired?’; Is Dabo right or does Alabama have the right after facing off against such high ranking defenses? When the strength of ACC programs arises again such as Miami, Florida St., and others, these words can easily flip to Saban’s or any other coaches side in a future National Championship game.