Crimson Tide Report: Alabama Football Adds Citadel to 2018 Schedule

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; View of an Alabama Crimson Tide championship flag after the game against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Alabama won 45-40. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; View of an Alabama Crimson Tide championship flag after the game against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Alabama won 45-40. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Crimson Tide announced this week that they have added The Citadel to the football lineup in 2018.  There are fans who aren’t happy about this, but it absolutely needs to happen.

ICYMI: Mark Your Calendars For 2016 Birmingham Bowl!

Alabama has added The Citadel to the 2018 schedule. The matchup will be played November 17, and will serve as the warm-up for the Iron Bowl the next week.

Many fans are angry because they don’t like seeing “cupcake” teams on the calendar. Some do not see these games as serving a purpose, and would rather Bama schedule a more highly-touted team to boost the strength-of-schedule component for national rankings.

The only problem with this is that Alabama already has the toughest list of matchups in the country. Going into the 2016 season, the Tide already has 4 Top 25 teams to manhandle before moving to the SEC Championship and any of the playoff games, all of which will be against the top teams in the country.

The team NEEDS these somewhat easier games – Western Kentucky, Kent State, Chattanooga – for several reasons.

First, after going up against powerhouses like Ole Miss, LSU, and Tennessee (don’t laugh – they’re supposed to be good this year), the boys could use a bit of an ego boost before taking on Bama’s biggest and most hated rival at Auburn.

Second, games against these “fluff” teams give our second, third, and sometimes even fourth string guys a chance to get some playing time. If something happens to one of our go-to personnel, we definitely want whoever will be coming in for him to have experience on the field.

Lastly, everyone knows that big games against SEC rivals cost fans TONS of money, with ticket prices soaring depending on rankings at the time of the games. Playing these smaller schools give families a chance to go and let the kids experience the traditions and glory of an Alabama game – something most parents could never afford to do otherwise. We want our kids growing up bleeding crimson too; what better way to introduce them to Crimson Tide football than to have them cheer on our boys to a W?

Bottom line – Alabama already has the strongest schedule among every other FBS team. Why make it any harder than it has to be?

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That’s all for this week, Crimson Tide fans! Be sure to check back Monday for another edition of the Crimson Tide Report. Have a great weekend, and Roll Tide!