Here’s some truths.
1. The media loves “Blue bloods”. It makes money. They love the occasional Cinderella but it has to be the right Cinderella. They love the occasional upset but do not want it long term. The love for UA, USCw, OSU, Michigan, Fla, ND, Texas, (insert major media market or fan base) is palpable.
2. The media loves to push schools that help legitimize those Bluebloods. Some years it has been LSU, AU, and now it’s Georgia. They have been good enough at times that UA didn’t have to beat anyone all season but that one “good team” to get in the mythical NC race. Hell the year they leaped to the playoffs without even winning their division, they lost what was their toughest regular season game scheduled that year and was rewarded with not having to play a conference championship game. Football is not fairness, it’s about $$$
3. Forget the media, ncaa, and whoever else you want to throw in there for a second, the State of Alabama will never allow AU to be on the same level as UA year in and year out. AU will only be allowed to play the occasional spoiler. It’s just bad politics. Hell AU will never allow itself to succeed. The PTB cannot help themselves and end up destroying it from the inside. They prefer to be the power behind shit show so that they can play big man on campus. They would never stand for being told to shut the hell up and get out of the way. Losing apparently hurts more in GA than it does at AU at the moment.
4. Hating on AU = $$$ from UA fans. Pumping up UGA = $$$ from UA fans reading and fearing this fictitious long term rival.