The networks select what they feel are the best match-ups between the best teams. I don't remember too many CBS games during those Shula years.... If you're not in the elite, you become the networks 5th or 6th choice....
With all due respect, you must not have a very good memory then.
2003: 3 (Arkansas, UGA, Tenn)
2004: 3 (Arkansas, Tenn, Auburn)
2005: 7 (S Carolina, Florida, Ole Miss, Tennessee, MSU, LSU, Auburn)
2006: 5 ( Arkansas, Florida, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Auburn)
Saban hired
2007: 2 (Florida St, LSU)
2008: 4 (Kentucky, Ole Miss, LSU, Auburn)
Interestingly enough, we only had as many CBS games in Saban's first two years as in Shula's first two years (6).
Shula record first two years: 10-16
Saban record first two years: 18-8
2009: 5 (Arkansas, Ole Miss, Tennessee, LSU, Auburn)
2010: 5 (Arkansas, Florida, S Carolina, LSU, Auburn)
We played more games on CBS in Shula's four years here than in Saban's first four (I'm not including the SECCG since that would have been played on CBS anyway).
Now to be fair, Saban DID have two games on ABC (Clemson and VT), so it's 18 apiece, but that only proves the point - we were the big draw as much during the Shula years as we have been during the Saban years as far as TV picks.
2011: 4 (Arkansas, Florida, LSU, Auburn) and 1 on ABC
2012: 5 (Arkanas, Missouri, LSU, aTm, Auburn) and 1 (Mich) on ABC
2013: 4 (aTm, Tenn, LSU, Auburn) and 1 (VT) on ABC
During Shula's last three years (two losing seasons), we were on CBS-TV FIFTEEN times whereas during Saban's three-year incredible run we were on CBS-TV THIRTEEN times and 3 more on ABC (16, total). But when you then remember that three of those 16 games were two new SEC teams - and that they would have probably been replaced with the likes of Vandy and perhaps S Carolina - then you have the same number of games whether we're good or not so good.
And then remember something else: in 2003 and 2004 when we were selected fewer times, we were also in the midst of a MAJOR probation that made our games virtually meaningless, online streaming wasn't developed as it is now so folks were stuck with PPV, and the OU game (expected to be a vicious rematch) got moved from ABC to ESPN because of the Mike Price firing (and assumed subsequent implosion).