Should Alabama approve the CFP instead of Miami? | the pack
The projected College Football Playoff brackets were released and Alabama edged out Miami. Colin Cowherd agrees with this decision and discusses why Alabama's stricter schedule benefited them.
In January, Nick Saban sent shock waves through the college football landscape when he announced he was stepping away from the sideline. Shortly after the legendary coach retired, Saban officially joined ESPN.
While Saban primarily works as an analyst for the network's popular pregame show, “College GameDay,” he also contributes to NFL Draft coverage and makes appearances on other ESPN programs and platforms. The last segment of a “College GameDay” episode usually features a celebrity guest offering their picks for some of the upcoming games.
On Friday, comedian Shane Gillis was chosen as the guest selector. But at one point during his appearance, one of the funnyman's jokes seemed to irritate Saban.
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During a discussion about the state of college football, Gillis cited the relatively new “parity” that exists in the sport. But during his comments, Gillis also seemed to claim that Saban or perhaps the Alabama football program as a whole orchestrated or turned a blind eye to players receiving improper payments.
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“This feels different, it feels like we can win it,” Gillis said. “There's a parity, now that everyone can pay their players, Notre Dame has a chance. 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 comments.
Comedian Shane Gillis appears before the Indiana-Notre Dame game on December 20, 2024 in South Bend, Indiana. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
However, fellow ESPN college football analyst Pat McAfee eventually reminded Gillis of what he said.
“You called him a cheater before,” McAfee noted.
While Gillis said he made the comments in jest, Saban appeared to take offense at the suggestion that players received inappropriate compensation under his watch.
“I was just joking,” Gillis said. “I don't think the SEC has paid players. Ever. I'm kidding. Isn't this a funny show?”
Nick Saban speaks during ESPN's “College GameDay,” Dec. 20, 2024, in South Bend, Indiana. (MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Gillis finally turned his attention to Saban's attire, particularly the retired coach's cap.
“Old Alabama Jones means business,” Gillis joked in an apparent reference to the hat that has become synonymous with the fictional character Indiana Jones.
Saban then offered a simple response to Gillis' joke about how he ran the Alabama program during his 17 years.
“I believe in integrity. I always tried to run the program that way so the players would have a better chance of being successful in life,” Saban said. “We made more money in the NFL than any other school, 61 players in the league. That's how we cheated. We developed players.”
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Saban won six national titles during his historic tenure in Tuscaloosa. Before taking the head coaching position at Alabama, Saban led the LSU Tigers to the BCS National Championship Game following the 2003 regular season.
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