Alabama's Scheduling Worries

Perhaps the most nervous program--after Texas A&M of course--about any potential Johnny Manziel suspension is none other than Alabama, the school whose sole blemish from 2012 was a direct result of Manziel's talents.  Sure fans of Rice and Sam Houston state want to see Manziel on the field for the first two games of the season--if you are going to lose the game you might as well get a glimpse of Mr. Popularity--but Alabama needs Manziel on the field for its game against the Aggies on September 14.
Yes, Bama wants to avenge last year's loss and doing so with Manziel playing will be a lot sweeter.  But that is not what is at issue here.  Alabama's potentially weak schedule will be watered down even more if Manziel misses the game and therefore the team's margin for error for the season will be even tighter.  Yes if Alabama runs the table they will be in the national title game.  But the Tide have lost a regular season game in each of the last two title-winning seasons forcing them to be the second team chosen for the title game.  To do that again will be problematic if they lose one of the few competitive games on their schedule.
Let's take a look at the actual games.  Out of conference they play Virginia Tech in Atlanta and three teams that would have no chance against Alabama's second unit in Colorado State, Georgia State and Chattanooga.  Folks are spinning the Hokies as a potential threat and possibly the team's third toughest opponent.  But coming off a 7-6 season and with a ridiculously easy schedule the rest of the way, Virginia Tech will disappear from national attention for months if they do not upset Alabama.  Tech not playing Clemson and Florida State hurts Alabama.
In conference Alabama does not play Georgia, Florida and South Carolina from the East.  So they have to hope and pray that LSU and A&M remain good and that one of the other West teams improves. And if LSU comes into its match-up with Bama undefeated then they should be ranked number one having beaten TCU on a neutral field and then weathering a four-game stretch featuring road games against Georgia and Mississippi state, a home game against Florida and then a road game against Mississippi.
It is August and it is hard to get worried about future games.  Plus based on its handling of the Cam Newton case, Manziel will probably be allowed to play.  And, again, all of this does not matter should Alabama go undefeated.  They certainly have the schedule to do so.