E$ECPN miscalculated this time. Sure, the huge Atlanta numbers will help, but the past tactic of making Alabama the Patriots of CFB is nowhere near as strong because of recent politics. Politics? Truth be told, E$ECPN has used 'Bama as a lightning rod or getting the casual fan to tune in, one who wants to see "that backward, redneck state" (and all that entails) get it's comeuppance. Daniel Tosh has two of his funniest bits playing on the stereotype.
Lo and behold, we had a special election which got huge media attention for months and one whose results painted Alabama in a different light to many casual fans predisposed to Alabama hating.
I just don't see the interested for an ulterior motive numbers being anything close to the past. As for the casual fans? Steely Dan said it best:
[video=youtube;2A0wGO3c2T8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A0wGO3c2T8[/video]