re: How does it happen that Bama plays so many more teams with a bye than anyone...

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I don't think anyone is scared...especially of LSU...and especially since Bama also has a bye before that game. If anything, LSU is the one team Bama shouldn't be scared of for this very reason.

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I don't think it's about being scared. I think it just shows respect for the opponent and the want to be prepared and rested.

I looked up the "helmet schedule" which shows all schedules on one page and only 3 SEC teams play more than one game where the opponent is coming off of a bye:

Bama plays LSU, Tennessee and A&M
LSU plays Bama and Ole Miss
Auburn plays Kentucky and Arkansas
All the other teams only play one team coming off of a bye.

Is it fair? Hell, I don't know.

I can see the logic in scheduling a bye before your toughest opponent, but I can also see the logic in doing just the opposite.

If I were the coach, and I have input on my schedule, I'd want to schedule an out-of-conference "cupcake" immediately proceeding my toughest opponent and then schedule my bye the week after to have the extra time to recuperate before the remainder of the schedule.

But hey, what the hell do I know. I'm just a Facility Engineer, not an overpaid college football coach.