Thanks to a waiver granted by the SEC, CBS will get a chance to air this year’s Iron Bowl matchup between rivals Alabama and Auburn as the Crimson Tide look for one final victory to pad their playoff resume.
Under the terms of the contract CBS has with the SEC, The Eye will get first dibs on the SEC schedule each week to air as the network’s SEC Game of the Week. ESPN then gets to select what games it wants to set on its variety of networks (ESPN, ESPN 2, SEC Network). The catch for CBS is no school may appear on the network more than five times in a single season, not including the SEC Championship Game of course. There is always an exception to the rule though, if the SEC can make it work between all partners involved. That is the case here, as CBS will be granted permission to air Alabama for a sixth time this season.
“The parameters of the agreement are flexible, as each season brings its own unique circumstances,” said Chuck Dunlap, SEC Director of Communications, in a story by The Montgomery Advertiser. “This was a mutual agreement among all parties.”
Given the recent history of the Iron Bowl, of course CBS would want to get its hands on the game. This year may not carry quite the same drama from both sides of the field, but Alabama could be looking to clinch the SEC West with a win to send them to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game. That drama could be lost before the game kicks off though if LSU beats Ole Miss this week. An Ole Miss loss will clinch the SEC West for Alabama, who take son FCS foe Charleston Southern this weekend. SEC West title implications or not, Alabama will still be playing for playoff seeding. The Crimson Tide are currently second in the College Football Playoff rankings, which will be updated tonight.