Friday night’s all right for fightin’

By Bart Doan  |   Tuesday, April 14, 2009  |  Comments( 4 )

College Football
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If you’re ever looking for spirited opinions on anything college pigskin, Alabama might not be a bad place to start. Those opinions won’t be of an on-the-fence nature, either. So, when CBS announced that it was moving the hallowed Iron Bowl game between Alabama and Auburn to Friday from its traditional Saturday afternoon spot, the schools' fans finally found something to agree on. To be frank, they don’t like the decision.

According to a poll on WSFA, the NBC affiliate in Montgomery, Ala., 78 percent of participants opposed the change. A meager 15 percent approved, while 7 percent couldn't decide. In truth, Tide and Tiger fans might be well served to give it a chance for a few crucial reasons.

First off, the game will get more national recognition. It sounds silly to say, but the Iron Bowl isn’t covered with bated breath on a national level the way it could be. Last year, for instance, the Iron Bowl fell during the same time as the Oregon-Oregon State broadcast, a game with conference championship and national title implications on the line. In segments, Florida State-Florida and Southern California-Notre Dame graced the airwaves at the same time. Both of those games hold a little stronger national appeal, especially the latter one.

Friday, however, gives the game an opportunity to shine all by its lonesome. Last year alone saw one top 20 team -- Boise State -- even have a scheduled game on a Friday. A lighter competing slate will give the Iron Bowl the national coverage and respect it not deserves.

Another reason this move should at least be given a chance is one that always hits close to home in SEC territory: recruiting. Being the focal point of attention on a weekend when every high school senior seemingly has nothing to do but watch football and eat with family means that for kids considering these two schools, more eyes will be on a game that will likely have little to no competition in terms of traditional appeal. When talking about television slots, one can never underestimate the impact had on recruiting. Fifteen years ago, college football games weren’t happening on Wednesdays, Fridays or Sundays and big-impact matchups were not in existence on Thursday. Now, teams from nearly every conference are fighting for those spots to get their programs some national air time however they possibly can.

Lastly, this decision is a good one because it’s not permanent. Too often in sports an idea gets tossed around the proverbial water cooler, gets put into play, and is forced upon the public for the next decade or so. The BCS is a great example. This idea gets two years. If it works, fine. If it doesn’t, back to Saturday is always an option. Most sports decisions aren’t this foresighted.

The 78 percent might not care to hear this, however; to be honest, they’re actually not wrong in being angry. Old traditions die hard, though the Iron Bowl has been through enough hiccups and changes to last another 73 contests. There was a thought that the game would never leave rotating Legions Field. But it did. And like it or not, the trial run for the next two years starts in 2009. There are positives. Just look for them.
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About Bart Doan

Bart has been with Realfootball365.com for about six months and thoroughly enjoys writing for the site. He has been featured for his writings on college football in The Sporting News, The Indianapolis Star, Sports Illustrated, and on CBS Sportsline.com. When he's not drowning himself in the...
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