‘College GameDay’: Who did Nick Saban select to advance to the College Football Playoffs?

Former Alabama coach Nick Saban joined ESPN’s College GameDay as a full‑time analyst in February 2024 and has quickly become a fan favorite for his candid insights and wit . In the latest College GameDay episode, Saban revealed his projection for which teams will advance to the College Football Playoff, selecting his alma mater Alabama alongside SEC rival Georgia to hoist the national championship trophy next January . This article explores the significance of Saban’s picks, the context around his College Football Playoff projections, his track record as a GameDay picker, and how fans and experts have reacted to his bold selections.

Nick Saban’s Transition to College GameDay

Nick Saban ended his historic 17‑year tenure at Alabama in January 2024, retiring with seven national championships and nine SEC titles to his name . Shortly thereafter, ESPN announced that Saban would join College GameDay as a primary on‑set analyst, debuting in August 2024 and bringing unparalleled coaching expertise to the program . His addition alongside seasoned analysts like Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Lee Corso, Desmond Howard, and Pat McAfee has refreshed the show’s dynamic, drawing praise for his analytical depth and occasional unfiltered remarks .

Why Saban’s Insight Matters

As one of the most successful coaches in college football history, Saban’s perspective carries significant weight . His involvement lends the show strategic credibility, especially when he breaks down playoff scenarios or predicts game outcomes . Early reviews highlighted his “odd couple” chemistry with former NFL punter Pat McAfee and lauded the authenticity he brings to discussions on topics like recruiting, roster construction, and player development .

The Playoff Projection: Alabama and Georgia

On the most recent edition of College GameDay, Saban was asked to project which programs would qualify for the four‑team College Football Playoff under the current 4‑team format. His picks were clear: Alabama and SEC foe Georgia as the last squads standing in Atlanta, with both teams advancing through the semifinals to contend for the national title . This projection underscored two powerhouses: the Crimson Tide aiming to bounce back after a 12‑2 season and the Bulldogs entering as reigning conference champions.

Alabama’s Case for a Return

Saban’s alma mater concluded the 2023–24 season with a semifinal loss to Michigan in the Rose Bowl, finishing 12–2 and hungry for redemption . Despite the setback, Alabama returns key contributors on both offense and defense, including quarterback Jalen Milroe and defensive lineman Dallas Turner, positioning the Tide as a title contender . Saban’s intimate knowledge of the roster and familiarity with head coach Kalen DeBoer’s system likely influenced his confidence in Alabama’s ability to navigate the playoff gauntlet.

Georgia’s Reign Continues

Georgia, under Kirby Smart, aims to defend its back‑to‑back national championships, having dominated the SEC with a 30‑24 title win over Alabama in 2023 . The Bulldogs boast one of the nation’s most feared linebacker corps and return versatile playmakers like Malik Herring and Gunn Stockton . ESPN analytics pegged Georgia with a 93% chance to make the playoff field late last season, reflecting the program’s consistent excellence .

Saban’s 12‑Team Bracket Projection

Beyond the traditional four‑team playoff, Saban also shared his vision for the expanded 12‑team format on an earlier College GameDay in Dublin, revealing:

1. Georgia (SEC champion)
2. Ohio State (Big Ten champion)
3. Florida State (ACC champion)
4. Utah (Pac‑12 champion)
   5–12. Texas; Oregon; Alabama; Ole Miss; Penn State; Notre Dame; LSU; Liberty .
   This full bracket highlighted Saban’s valuation of conference champions and at‑large powerhouses, plus an underdog bid for Liberty, illustrating his comprehensive grasp of national power dynamics .

Track Record: Accuracy in GameDay Picks

Since joining the show, Saban has maintained a respectable record on his weekly game selections, finishing 22–18 through the first several appearances . While he has tended to pick Alabama whenever they appeared on the slate, he also demonstrated versatility by correctly forecasting winners like North Carolina and Colorado early in the season . Observers note that Saban’s picks lean toward strategic upsets when he identifies matchup advantages, drawing on decades of coaching film study.

Fan and Expert Reactions

Social media buzzed when Saban revealed his playoff picks, with fans praising his bold prediction of an Alabama‑Georgia rematch and debating its plausibility. ESPN’s own Bill Connelly noted that such selections reflect broader trends favoring the SEC’s depth and the Bulldogs’ sustained dominance . Meanwhile, former players and NFL analysts on platforms like The Pat McAfee Show echoed Saban’s insights, underscoring his influence in football circles .

The Broader Implications

Saban’s playoff projections do more than spark debate; they shape the narrative around college football’s postseason structure, highlighting which conferences and teams command respect across the sport. His advocacy for power‑five champions in top seeds aligns with the College Football Playoff committee’s emphasis on conference performance and strength of schedule . As conversations swirl around potential playoff expansions and seeding criteria, Saban’s viewpoints carry weight in both media and administrative domains.

Reality vs. Projection

The first-ever 12‑team College Football Playoff bracket, announced in December 2024, bore little resemblance to Saban’s earlier projection . Instead of Georgia, Ohio State, Florida State, Utah and his chosen at‑large teams, the actual field featured No. 1 Oregon and surprising bids for SMU and Boise State, while perennial power Alabama was left out entirely . This divergence underscored the committee’s willingness to reward late‑season resurgences and conference champions over historical pedigree.

SMU’s Cinderella Run and Saban’s Reaction

SMU’s dramatic comeback over Clemson in the ACC Championship vaulted the Mustangs into the final at‑large spot at Alabama’s expense, a decision that drew vocal surprise from Saban himself . On College GameDay, he quipped that perhaps playoff seeding “shouldn’t be decided until after the games” to ensure teams like SMU received appropriate consideration . Local commentators argued that if the Tide missed out, the blame would rest squarely on its own inconsistent performances rather than the selection committee’s criteria .

The Anatomy of the Upsets

Alabama’s three losses—a shocking home defeat to Vanderbilt, a road setback at Tennessee, and a blowout at the hands of Oklahoma—proved self‑inflicted wounds too deep to overcome in committee deliberations. In the Vanderbilt game, the Tide surrendered 40 points—the most they had allowed to Vanderbilt since 1906—immediately following a win over then‑No. 2 Georgia, illustrating the team’s volatility . Those inconsistent performances undermined Saban’s projection of a Tide resurgence and highlighted the razor‑thin margins in college football.

Off‑Field Factors: NIL, Rosters, and Resource Allocation

Beyond on‑field results, Saban has repeatedly emphasized the critical role of resource investment—particularly NIL deals and roster management—in sustaining championship contenders. “If you don’t pay the right guys, you’ll be shit out of luck,” he warned of high‑spending programs on College GameDay, underscoring how lucrative NIL agreements can shape competitive balance . His commentary on Ohio State’s $20 million roster suggested that without strategic talent retention and cultural cohesion, even the wealthiest teams risk underperformance.

The Snubbed and the Surprised

Saban’s bracket had anticipated at‑large bids for powerhouses like Penn State, Notre Dame, and Liberty, but the committee’s emphasis on late‑season conference champions left perennial contenders like Ole Miss on the outside looking in . Meanwhile, Boise State’s upset of UNLV in the Mountain West title game secured a playoff berth, illustrating that momentum and automatic bids can outweigh traditional résumé building .

The Committee’s New Blueprint

The 12‑team format introduced new dimensions: four first‑round matchups, byes for top seeds, and no reseeding. It rewarded unbeaten Oregon with the top seed and an opening‑round bye, while SMU and Clemson battled in Dallas and Houston for quarterfinal spots . This structure diverged from Saban’s vision, which had prioritized traditional power‑five champions and at‑large stalwarts based on historical strength of schedule and program pedigree.

Lessons for Future Predictions

Saban’s playoff projection highlighted the tension between coaching intuition and committee logic. Going forward, analysts must account not only for win‑loss records but also for timing, conference championship outcomes, and public perception. As one national columnist observed, the SEC’s soft nonconference scheduling may continue to draw criticism if marquee teams like Alabama falter early and limp into championship weekend .

Epilogue: The Power of the Unexpected

The inaugural 12‑team playoff delivered thrills and controversy, vindicating some of Saban’s emphasis on wear‑and‑tear and depth while upending his forecast for the Crimson Tide. In the end, it reaffirmed that in college football, reputations earn respect, but only peak performance in key moments earns playoff glory—and sometimes, that glory belongs to the few who seize it against all odds .

Conclusion

Nick Saban’s transition from sideline to studio has enriched ESPN’s College GameDay with authoritative analysis, and his recent playoff picks reaffirm the stature of Alabama and Georgia as the sport’s elite programs. Whether he’s projecting a traditional four‑team bracket or mapping out a 12‑team field, Saban’s selections ignite conversation and provide a competitive lens through which fans and experts can evaluate the season ahead. As the next playoff picture takes shape, all eyes will be on whether his bold predictions come to fruition in Atlanta next January.