Should Alabama make the CFP over Miami? | The herd
The projected brackets for the College Football Playoff were revealed, and Alabama made it past Miami. Colin Cowherd agrees with this decision, and discusses why Alabama's tough schedule worked for them.
In January, Nick Saban sent shockwaves through the college football scene when he announced his retirement. Shortly after the legendary coach's retirement, Saban officially joined ESPN.
Although Saban works primarily as an analyst for the long-running and popular network sports show, “College GameDay,” he also contributes to NFL draft cover and feature appearances on other ESPN programs and platforms. The final episode of “College GameDay” features a celebrity guest who gives his picks for some of the upcoming games.
On Friday, reporter Shane Gillis was chosen as the guest speaker. But at one point during his appearance, some of the jokes appeared to offend Saban.
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During the discussion about the status of college footballGillis cited a relatively new “parity” in the game. But when he spoke, Gillis also seemed to confirm that Saban or maybe he is Alabama football The program generally organized or ignored if players received inappropriate payments.
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“This feels different, it feels like we can win it,” Gillis said. “There is equity, now everyone can pay their players, Notre Dame has a shot. It's not just the SEC, it's not Coach Saban.” The seven-time national championship-winning coach was not present when Gillis made the comment.
Comedian Shane Gillis is shown before the Indiana-Notre Dame game on Dec. 20, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
However, ESPN's college football analyst Pat McAfee he finally reminded Gillis of what he had said.
“You called him a fraud earlier,” McAfee said.
While Gillis said he spoke in jest, Saban seemed offended by the idea that players were being paid improperly under his watch.
“I was just kidding,” Gillis said. “I don't think the SEC pays players. Ever. Just kidding. Isn't this a great show?”
Nick Saban speaks during ESPN's “College GameDay,” Dec. 20, 2024, South Bend, Ind. (MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Gillis eventually turned his attention to Saban's attire, specifically the retired coach's hat.
“Ol' Alabama Jones is serious,” Gillis joked in what appeared to be a reference to the hat that now resembles the legendary character Indiana Jones.
Saban then gave a direct response to Gillis' joke about how he ran the Alabama program during his 17 years.
“I believe in honesty. I've always tried to run the program in such a way that the players have the best chance to succeed in life,” Saban said. “We make more money in the NFL than any other school, 61 players in the league. That's how we broke it. We made the players better.”
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Saban won six national titles during his senior season in Tuscaloosa. Before taking the head coaching job at Alabama, Saban led the way LSU Tigers in the BCS National Championship Game following the 2003 regular season.
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