Paul Finebaum says Alabama will probably back out of its Ohio State series

The Southeastern Conference's (SEC) decision to move to a nine-game conference schedule is threatening high-profile non-conference matchups, with Alabama's series against Ohio State at risk. Paul Finebaum revealed that Alabama Athletic Director Greg Byrne has expressed doubts about the series scheduled for 2027 and 2028. These concerns stem from the increased difficulty of the SEC schedule and the potential negative impact on playoff chances, as demonstrated by Texas's recent experience. The Longhorns, after facing a tough non-conference schedule, missed the playoff despite a strong season. Alabama's potential withdrawal from the Ohio State series could prompt similar decisions across the SEC, as teams reconsider challenging non-conference games. Georgia's series with Ohio State, set for 2030 and 2031, might still proceed due to its stable program under Kirby Smart. However, the trend indicates a shift in scheduling priorities driven by competitive and financial pressures. No official cancellation has been made yet, with Ohio State AD Ross Bjork asserting