Nick Saban has never been accused of backing down from a challenge.
For years, the Alabama coach has argued the SEC should play more conference games. He has agreed to beef up the Crimson Tide’s nonconference schedule—starting in 2025, the program will have two Power 5 non-SEC opponents on the schedule each season for a decade. He has been the loudest champion of playing more high-profile matchups more often. That, Saban says, isn’t changing.
However, amid the SEC’s internal debate over a future scheduling format, Saban wants more balance and equity than what has been proposed by league administrators in a nine-game model.
