I'm not seeing what all the fuss is about. First off, that whole long weekend is a holiday for 90% of the country, so Friday or Saturday is not a big issue. Second, CBS picking it up for two years shows they feel the game has a little more significance rather than being relegated to ESPN 2 at whatever time slot. The game certainly has lost some luster on a national scale over the past decade for various reasons. Plus, there won't be near the competition on a Friday. The Iron Bowl will pretty much be the big dog on that day. If either team..or both teams are a playa on the BCS scene at that time, the country will get a chance to take notice without the Iron Bowl being up against other big rivalries.
I am opposed to an early afternoon game as I think this game has traditionally been played in that 3:00 and later time slot.