Alabama ‘disappointed’ over kickoff time for Southern Miss game
The Alabama Crimson Tide aren’t happy with their Sept. 21 kickoff time against Southern Miss.
Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne issued a statement citing the school’s disappointment at being chosen for a noon ET kickoff time. He argued that no one in the SEC has played more non-conference home games during the day since 2014, and said that the kickoff times negatively impacted student-athletes and fans.
Alabama AD Greg Byrne: “We are disappointed that our game against Southern Miss has been selected as a daytime kickoff at home. We realize we’ve played more non-conference day games at home in September than any other SEC team since 2014."
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— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) September 9, 2019
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Alabama AD Greg Byrne: "There have been a number of conversations with our conference office, and they also recognize the challenges these kick times present for our student-athletes and fans.”
— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) September 9, 2019
Television networks are going to be reluctant to put games like this in primetime. Alabama blowing out an unranked conference foe just doesn’t make for gripping television. It’s a consequence of a weak non-conference schedule. That may not be Nick Saban’s fault, but it’s simply what happens.