Nick Saban hints fans of Alabama-LSU rivalry could be 'disappointed' if SEC adopts 7+1 scheduling model

If the SEC winds up choosing to roll with the 7+1 scheduling model moving forward, where each SEC team will have only one permanent rival, the annual Alabama–LSU showdown could find itself on the cutting room floor.

It’s a game fans of both programs regularly circle on their calendar given the annual implications, with the winner usually representing the SEC West in Atlanta. Baton Rouge and Tuscaloosa are buzzing for the full week leading into the game, and that’s no different this year as anticipation builds toward Saturday’s showdown. But no matter how much the two programs enjoy playing each other, some other natural rivalries could take precedence, specifically on Alabama’s side.

“We have some natural rivalry games here that have tremendous fan interest,” Nick Saban said during Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference. “Whether it’s Auburn, Tennessee, and LSU. If you’re only going to play one of those, somebody is going to be disappointed.”

Alabama-LSU has been a major television event for the conference throughout the years. CBS has continually chosen the game to be played in primetime due to what is usually at stake. Seven different times have they faced off with both programs ranked in the Top 10 nationally, and twice has it been No. 1 vs. No. 2.

“I think this is a great game that has tremendous fan interest,” Nick Saban said. “It’s been a great game for the last 15 — however long I have been here. They got a great atmosphere at their stadium, we got a great atmosphere at our stadium. I think both fanbases look forward to the game.

“I think as many of these types of fan interest rivalry games that we can keep overtime is beneficial to the conference and beneficial to the players that play the game.”

From the LSU side, Brian Kelly wants to make sure the rivalry continues to happen. He is going to work with his athletic director to make sure their voice is heard when it comes to the future of the Alabama game.

“I think we’re going to have a say on what that scheduling looks like in terms of Alabama against LSU,” Kelly said. “I think that Commissioner Sankey has given us the opportunity to talk about the team or teams that we want to keep on our schedule.

“Each school has those natural rivalries and certainly, when talking to Scott Woodward, our AD, he and I both would be in agreement that LSU-Alabama is a game that we would like to see played every year.”

At the end of the day, if only — as Saban puts it — “one-team fixed” ends up on the schedule, it’d make sense if in-state rival Auburn would be that permanent rival for Alabama. This is the second game weekend in a row where Saban has talked about the great rivalries his team has with Tennessee and now, LSU. Playing those games every other year and at home once every four years is going to sting for fans all across the SEC.

Not all hope is lost, though. Saban believes the SEC will eventually “expand” the schedule, allowing more permanent opponents. If/when that happens, he sees a better chance of Alabama-LSU happening on an annual basis again.

“I think as we eventually expand the schedule in the league, which I think will happen someday with that many teams and you have three fixed, you probably have a little better chance of (playing LSU annually) happening,” Nick Saban said.