TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — For those who are wondering why the University of Alabama would be playing Charleston Southern, which is ranked ninth in the Football Championship Subdivision and has already clinched the Big South Conference title, the key lies with the Crimson Tide’s next opponent.
On Nov. 28, Alabama faces its primary rival Auburn, which during the Nick Saban era has scheduled the following opponents the week before:
- 2007: Bye
- 2008: Bye
- 2009: Bye
- 2010: Bye
- 2011: Samford
- 2012: Alabama A&M
- 2013: Bye
- 2014: Samford
- 2015: Idaho
Self-preservation is a key aspect to it, but also consider Alabama’s schedule if it faced another Southeastern Conference opponent the week before facing Auburn.