Schedule Strength: Is Alabama’s Rivalry with Tennessee Outdated?

"During my time at Tennessee that was the big game of the year, Tennessee and Alabama, because the two of us probably had the most national prominence."

This was Phillip Fulmer's comment regarding his opinion on the Alabama and Tennessee rivalry when asked by Ryan Fowler on The Game prior to last week's game, which ended in Alabama throttling its rival 45-10.

To some, this rivalry is bigger than the Auburn rivalry. This yearly matchup has produced  some of the greatest games in Alabama football history. But the last time these two teams played each other and were both ranked in the top 25 was all the way back in 2005. Tennessee has had four different head coaches since 2008. Alabama has lost seven games since 2008 and not a single one of those losses came at the hands of the Volunteers.

The expansion of the SEC raised a few eyebrows when it comes to traditional rivalries because of uncertainties around scheduling? This was a concern for the Alabama program that is known for its great tradition. Well, Alabama has kept the rivalry going, but at what costs and for how long?

Tradition. A term that has played such a huge role at the University of Alabama and its success in the football program. Tradition is the reason why you will not see Alabama run out onto the field in black jerseys or pink helmets. Tradition is also why you will see Alabama continue rivalries with opponents even it means playing a weaker SEC East opponent. But LSU head coach Les Miles believes that tradition should not play a role in scheduling because of the room it leaves for teams to play easier schedules.

"In the last eight years we won 85 games. That is more than any other conference team. I wonder if they would've had to play our schedule if they would have won as many?" Miles said in a sarcastic tone at this year's SEC Media Days. "There is a lot of things that need taken into account (like) traditions."

Is Les Miles wrong when he makes these comments? What does it say for Alabama when LSU plays Florida and Georgia and the mighty Crimson Tide is stuck playing Tennessee and Kentucky? Alabama should not to have to prove how dominant it truly is, but some question if Alabama would make it as far if they had to play the tougher competition in the SEC East.

Colin Cowherd, host of The Herd on ESPN radio, is someone who believes Alabama's schedule is too weak. He made the following comments:

“Give me Alabama’s schedule next year. Go look at Alabama’s schedule right now. Oh, the great Alabama. Let me see that then. And this is the great SEC, right? It’s unbelievable. Let’s read it right now for you. 2013, alright, here we go, here’s their tough schedule, Alabama. OK, at Texas A&M early, tough as heck. Colorado State, Georgia State, at Kentucky, Tennessee’s a mess, Chattanooga Mocs, Auburn’s a mess…that’s a real toughie. They get LSU at home. They don’t have to play Georgia – they don’t have to play Georgia! Don’t have to play Florida, don’t have to play South Carolina. They’ve got three of the best teams in their division, er…conference and they’re not on their schedule, and they face something called the Chattanooga Mocs?”

These comments were clearly made before the start of the season since he referred to Auburn as a "mess". His point is clear though, should Alabama forget about their rivalry with Tennessee and focus more on getting to play teams like Georgia or South Carolina? Here is a better question, since when has it ever been easy to play in the SEC? It's hard enough just trying to predict the outcome of the SEC in the preseason.

If Tennessee is such a mess, then how did the Vols beat South Carolina? If Georgia is so dominant, then how exactly did they lose to Missouri and Vanderbilt? Wasn't Missouri one of the worst teams in the SEC East last year? Speaking of which, who is leading that division right now? Florida has not even been relevant in the SEC this year. The Gator faithful are hoping maybe they can sign Tim Tebow now that he is a free agent.  Blame injuries all you want, but at the end of the day, the SEC is the toughest conference in the country to play in.

Sure, it would have been ideal for Alabama to avoid teams like Kentucky and have the preseason favorites out of the SEC East. But Kentucky has a solid recruiting class right now so maybe they will be more of a force in the future. Alabama may be dominant but they are also capable of losing at any given time as we have all seen the past two seasons. This is why it should not matter if Alabama's schedule includes Georgia, South Carolina, or Tennessee. Football is cyclical.

Anything can happen on any given week not only in the SEC but also in college football. The unranked Vols almost knocked off the top ranked Crimson Tide in 2009. Alabama was a mere 3-5 when they almost beat the #22 ranked Tennessee Volunteers in five overtimes in 2003. Rivalries are strong and that's makes college football great. Tennessee will find its way back to national prominence and talks like these will fade away. There is one thing you do not play around with at the University of Alabama and that is Tradition.