Besides 2013 year Ohio State travels and plays teams. They had Cal scheduled back when when they were winning the PAC 12. That is what I love about them they will play a home and home with anyone. They don't do that neutral ground stuff. They want to play in The Shoe. We have Va Tech coming this year with a return trip next year. Plus Cinci. Then we have Oklahoma, Texas, Oregon,TCU, North Carolina and their working on getting another USC set of games.
Bama has scheduled some home and homes as well, along with the neutral site games. While I much prefer a home and home because of the campus atmosphere, I certainly understand the appeal of the neutral site matchups. Money.
Anyway, over the past 4 or five years Bama has played OOC, Clemson, Va Tech (twice), and Michigan as neutral site matchups to kick off the season. They have also had a home and home with Penn State sandwiched in there. Fla State was a recent opponent as well.
They had an upcoming home and home with Mich State scheduled that has since been lost to the uncertainty of the upcoming conference schedule caused by the conference expansions.
They have West Va next season in Atlanta, Wisconsin the next year in Dallas, and I believe they have a series scheduled with Ga Tech in the next few years (perhaps home and home).
By the way I root for my team not a conference. Being a real fan is hanging in there for the good and the bad. If your team is bad you don't root for the next best thing. Plus I will never ever root for Michigan like some Bama people did for Auburn. No way no how!
Personally, I root for my team first, no matter the record, then I do root for the conference. I understand that the SEC being strong and winning benefits Alabama. Not just financially, but prestige and reputation with the recruits. Our winning streak in the BCS (until this past season of course) has greatly benefited our member institutions, the old and the new, just ask A&M and Missouri fans.
As to Bama fans pulling for Auburn, well......I have the past two times they played for the BCS title for the reasons stated above, but ill go one further. I pull for them during the regular season as well, and if you ask many, certainly not all Barn fans, they would probably tell you that they do the same.
Why?
Ask a random Barn fan what would would be more satisfying. Beating us when we are 2-8? Or returning a field goal 109 yards to not only dash your undefeated arch rivals title hopes, but also cementing your spot in the SEC title game and the BCS title game?
I can tell you which they will answer, and its the same answer I would give. I would MUCH rather beat Auburn when they are winning. It makes the rivalry mean something and makes it more fun.
