SEC Needs to be Proactive, Add Availability Reports: All Things CW

A key to minimizing the risk of gambling infiltrating college athletics is for there to be more transparency, not less, even at Alabama.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Last week, the University of Alabama football program quietly told reporters that it will not be doing like usual, and releasing a depth chart on the Monday before the season opener.

This isn't to complain about that decision. Even though reporters have continually been given less access, and still haven't even been able to see this year's Alabama Crimson Tide on the field yet, depth charts are a major headache for Nick Saban as the second he releases one he usually gets players in his office complaining about their status and talking about the transfer portal.

Whether a depth chart is released on Monday — when it traditionally gets a ton of attention and is sort of the final notice to the fans that the season is actually here — or on Saturday with the flip cards distributed in the press box, really shouldn't make that big of a difference. Saban's still going to have complaining players regardless, and quite frankly if they still can't handle that kind of thing even after getting NIL money they're just going to have to deal with it. This is the Southeastern Conference, where not everyone gets a trophy. 

However, it does draw attention to a related problem that the Big Ten was smart to try and hit head on, especially since it's geographically getting so big and spread out that it's beginning to look like Russia on any map of Asia. 

On Friday, the league announced that it will become the first Power 5 conference to release player availability reports prior to each game. They won't list reasons why someone won't play — and you know some coaches are going to say anything short of a player being on crutches that he was still under consideration right up until kickoff — or how many games someone could be out. 

Specifically, schools will be required to release availability reports ”no later than two hours prior to kickoff” to the conference’s office. The reports will then be published on the Big Ten website as well as on social media. If a school fails to do so it could face disciplinary action under the Big Ten Sportsmanship Policy.

“The well-being of our students, coaches, and staff, as well as the integrity of our competitions are of paramount importance,” said Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti said in a release. “Enhanced transparency through availability reporting and partnering with U.S. Integrity (USI) strengthens our efforts to protect those who participate in our games as well as the integrity of the games themselves. I’m grateful for the collaboration of our schools, coaches, and administrators.”

It's a good move, and an important step, especially with NIL money now part of the equation. What would stop someone from doing a deal with a player that included getting inside information, via a depth chart or injury update, and taking advantage of it?

This is obviously a growing concern in college athletics, especially at Alabama, which just went through a horrible scandal with its baseball coach giving information to someone who turned around and tried to place a large wager that was more than red-flagged. It doesn't make much imagination to figure out ways he could have circumvented enforcement procedures.

The Big Ten's decision came after an offseason of investigations into alleged gambling activities by more than 40 athletes on Iowa and Iowa State teams. The conference also recently announced a partnership with U.S. Integrity,  a sports wagering monitoring company focused on providing protections against betting-related fraud and corruption.

Again, those were good moves, especially since its footprint already extends from New York, and as of next year with the addition of Southern California and UCLA  will go all the way to Los Angeles. This year's (final?) Pac-12 Championship Game will be played in Las Vegas. Who's to say that the Big Ten's title game won't soon take it's place in the Gambling Capital of the World.

Granted, gambling is a little different in the South, which remains the heart of college football, but is just as dangerous with so many prominent programs in the national spotlight. However, the National Football League figured out years ago that the best way to try and keep potential gambling problems at bay was to be more transparent, not less. 

The league has regular injury reports, plus roster limits that must be adhered. There's only so much one can do with a 53-man depth chart, but coaches are fined if they aren't forthcoming with injuries. It would probably take college football making players employees and negotiating with a players' union to do something similar, however the Big Ten's step is an important one and something the SEC should do as well.  

Regardless of which league implemented the idea first, it's always better to be proactive when it comes to a sport's integrity, especially during times that can only be described as absolute chaos. 

Christopher Walsh's column All Things CW regularly appears on BamaCentral.