On one hand, the expansion of the Big Ten and SEC conferences grew increasingly aggressive, with their income skyrocketing. Not only were the subscriptions to their TV networks soaring, but their influence also ensured that more of their games were broadcast nationally.
Unsurprisingly, this gave them more power in decision-making.
On the other hand, the University of Texas once again played a crucial role in reshaping the landscape. They were displeased with how Texas A&M, their longtime subordinate, had thrived after joining the SEC. With increased funding and stronger recruiting, Texas A&M created a virtuous cycle of success.
In 2021, the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma joined the SEC.
The Big 12 was thrown into crisis.
Soon after, the traditional powerhouses on the West Coast couldn't sit still either. USC, unhappy with the Pac-12's weakening influence, joined forces with UCLA in 2022 to join the Big Ten. This move significantly boosted the Big Ten's reach, giving them access to massive markets on both coasts.
As a result, the Big 12 and Pac-12 faced potential collapse.
The Big 12 scrambled to save itself, desperately adding schools like Arizona and Colorado, barely managing to stabilize.
The Pac-12, however, found itself in deep trouble. After Washington and Oregon joined the Big Ten, the once-mighty Pac-12 was reduced to a shell of its former self.
By 2023, only four schools remained in the Pac-12: Stanford, UC Berkeley, Oregon State, and Washington State. They sought help from other conferences but were repeatedly turned away. Eventually, Stanford and UC Berkeley found refuge in the ACC, but Oregon State and Washington State were left without a home and an uncertain future.
Driven by financial interests, the NCAA was entering a new era.
A century of tradition was crumbling.
For example, the long-standing rivalry between UCLA and UC Berkeley, both part of the University of California system, had persisted for over a century. Now, in different conferences, their regular matchups would be a thing of the past.
Travel logistics also changed. Previously, conference divisions were based on geography, so even away games weren't too far. But now, with divisions no longer bound by location, teams might have to travel from the West Coast to the East Coast for games. This would disrupt students' daily routines, and alumni and fans would find it harder to attend away games.
Then there were the bowl games. The annual Rose Bowl, held every New Year's Day, had long been a signature event of the NCAA. Even the Crimson Tide's fight song mentions the Rose Bowl. Since World War II, the Rose Bowl had traditionally featured the Big Ten champion against the Pac-12 champion.
Every year, the Big Ten champion would travel to sunny California to watch the game and enjoy a mini-vacation. Fans would carry red roses as they followed their team to Los Angeles.
But now, with the Pac-12 essentially dissolved, the Rose Bowl tradition was fading into history.
And so, the wheels of history turned amidst the roar of change.
For now, let's return to 2016.
At this point, the NCAA hadn't yet fully entered its new phase, but the success of the Big Ten and SEC was already evident, and their influence was undeniable.
As a traditional powerhouse in the SEC and the undisputed king of television ratings over the past nine years, the University of Alabama had benefited greatly from this trend. It was no surprise that the university president paid special attention to the number of games broadcast.
Playing a warm-up game against the Crimson Tide meant significant TV revenue for any team.
This game would not only be aired on the SEC Network but also nationally on ESPN.
Everyone wanted to be Alabama's warm-up opponent.
But Saban had his own considerations.
Each year, he carefully chose the team's warm-up game opponents, and this year was no exception. Ultimately, Saban chose Clemson.
The decision sparked a wave of discussion—
The Clemson Tigers, part of the ACC, had a long history, dating back to 1896.
However, Clemson University, a public school in South Carolina, wasn't a traditional football powerhouse. It wasn't until the 2000s that their football program rose to prominence, reaching its peak around the same time Saban took over Alabama. Over the past decade, Clemson had become one of the strongest teams in the NCAA.
Since head coach Dabo Swinney took over in 2008, Clemson had won the ACC championship four times.
Alabama and Clemson had become famous rivals, with both Southern schools' rivalry dating back to 1900. Throughout the century, the two teams had clashed repeatedly.
Technically, as members of different conferences, Alabama and Clemson only met once every few years. But each time they faced off, it was a battle for the ages—either both teams were at their peak, or both were struggling. Each encounter was a historic, hard-fought battle.
The matchups between the Crimson Tide and the Tigers always resulted in epic scores. The Tigers had once won 35-0, while the Tide had delivered a 74-7 thrashing. Such dramatic outcomes fueled fan debates, with tensions running high on both sides.
In 1975, the Tide humiliated Clemson with a 56-0 victory. Clemson sought revenge but had to wait until 2008, when both programs, under Saban and Swinney, reached new heights.
Their last meeting?
The previous season—
In the national championship game.
Alabama and Clemson met in the final, a clash of titans that saw the Crimson Tide win 45-40 in a thrilling, rollercoaster of a game to claim the national championship.
As of this season, Alabama led their head-to-head record with twelve wins and three losses. For Clemson, Alabama wasn't a pleasant memory—the Tigers hadn't beaten their Southern rivals since 1905, more than a century ago.
But history is just that—history. The present is a different story.
It was because of last year's thrilling championship game that when Saban announced Clemson as the opponent for this year's spring warm-up game, the media went wild.
Was Saban starting off with a heavy hitter?
Before the new season had even begun, last year's top two teams were already set to clash, establishing the tone for the upcoming season?
One could guess that the viewership for this game would be through the roof.
So, what was Saban thinking?
Looking at it from another angle, what was Swinney thinking? Saban might have proposed it, but Swinney had to agree. What were these two coaches planning?
It was still spring training camp, yet things were already heating up. Was this really the right move?