(KMDL-FM) Can you believe the only games that actually matter in the college football season are finally going to be played? Yeah, we are on the cusp of the College Football Playoffs. This year, there are a dozen teams given the chance to be crowned best in college football. Nick Saban, former coach for LSU and Alabama, knows a thing or two about that subject. And he is suggesting that one of the teams that’s eligible for the trophy might be “cheating” to get it.
I know, cheating is such a strong word, and in the Southeastern Conference, there is no room for bad cheaters. Good cheaters are welcome. Good cheaters are those who can pull off their “interpretations” of the rules without scrutiny from game officials, league officials, and most importantly, the media.
And if we are being transparent on the subject, Coach Saban, in his comments about a particular SEC school, did not use the word “cheating.” He did, however, imply that one member institution is manipulating the ebb and flow of games played in their stadium by artificial means.
What is the NCAA Rule on Artificial Noise In Stadiums During Games?
According to Coach Saban, the school amplifies crowd noise to make it difficult for opposing teams to hear the signals being called on the field. The NCAA has specific rules about artificially enhanced noise. College football’s governing body says the enhancement of artificially created noise is only allowed during timeouts, intermissions, and instant replays.
If you’re a fan of the SEC, you’re probably thinking this must be about Mississippi State and those damn cowbells. You’d be wrong. People don’t complain about the noise at State because MSU is awful in football; they won’t complain about the Bulldogs and their bells until State starts winning. I wouldn’t hold my breath. I know they are going to the Creamy Condiment Bowl, but that’s only because no good teams wanted to play in it.
What SEC School Does Nick Saban Accuse of Piping In Crowd Noise?
The team Coach Saban is casting aspersions toward is another team that has a maroon and white color scheme; that team is Texas A&M. Coach Saban told Pat McAfee on his ESPN show that he complained regularly to the league office about the practice at A&M, but to no avail…