The Alabama Crimson Tide has long been rumored to want to run from a home-and-home series with the Ohio State Buckeyes for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, one that was first supposed to be played at the "Shoe" in Columbus, then at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.
That theory looks like it's about to become reality, like many so-called "conspiracies" in recent years.
Alabama decided to add the Georgia State Panthers to the 2028 schedule as its home-opener, which takes away the chance for either that Ohio State game or matchups with the Oklahoma State Cowboys or UT Martin Skyhawks, given the SEC's new nine-game conference slate.
The UT Martin game is almost certainly not getting canceled, since it appeared to be tied to the program's recruitment of quarterback Ty Simpson. Ty's father, Jason, has been with the Skyhawks since 2006. That game is a favor and a donation to Martin, Tennessee. It's not coming off the books.
That means either the Buckeyes or the Pokes will be. Since Alabama is traveling to Stillwater, Oklahoma, for the 2028 game, it's unlikely they'll pull that. Then, it'd mess with its 2029 home schedule.
The Tide just decided they didn't want the Ohio State smoke. How sad how far the mighty have fallen. Paul Finebaum at least saw this coming weeks ago.
“I sincerely doubt the Alabama game is going to happen based on what I’ve heard from Alabama’s AD,” Finebaum said on 97.1 The Fan. “He’s got a shaky situation there anyway with a coach that is in trouble. Georgia might do it because they’re a little more in-tune and aligned, but I really don’t think we’re going to go too far and see those games. I know what Ross Bjork has said, and I know what [Chris] Del Conte has said and other ADs have said, but the reality is that the ninth SEC game is going to be very costly for a lot of programs.”
Alabama fans will likely have Auburn excuse at their ready
Alabama fans' response to cancelling the Buckeyes matchup will be some variation of calling the Auburn Tigers out for having "only" played the Baylor Bears. The Oklahoma State series will be their equivalent to Baylor, and they will not admit that their Tide is straight up running scared from Ohio State.
Of course, AU's "home-and-home" with BU will have not featured a game at Jordan-Hare Stadium, and the Tigers' last home-and-home Big Ten opponent, the Penn State Nittany Lions, is a much bigger challenge than the Wisconsin Badgers just were for Alabama.
At this point, preserving CFP hopes is the name of the game. Not rising up to the challenge and playing the best of the best. At least for the Tide.