Nick Saban set the tone early in ESPN’s “College GameDay” on Saturday when it comes to the Auburn Tigers.

The former Alabama coach-turned-ESPN analyst warned Crimson Tide fans they may not like what he has to say when it comes to Hugh Freeze and the in-state rivals.

So, it was really no surprise the 72-year-old Saban picked the way he did when the Auburn-Cal game came up on the popular college football pregame show.

“I think Auburn will dominate this game, really,” he said. “This is a hard place to play, and I think Auburn has a lot more weapons than they have in the past, so I’m sticking with Auburn.”

The rest of the panel – including guest picker Michael Phelps – agreed.

“I think Payton Thorne and Hugh Freeze are going to get it done,” Desmond Howard said. “I have Auburn by two scores over Cal.”

Pat McAfee admitted it is rare to pick Auburn, but that is because of one reason.

“We’ve never really had a chance to talk about Auburn because there has been one man – he stands 6-foot-4 – who has been the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the same state,” McAfee said as a joke about Saban. “I will say Auburn wins now.”

Phelps, the former Olympic star and avid Michigan fan, pointed to Jordan-Hare Stadium.

“I’m with you,” he said. “I’m backing up Auburn. That environment, that stadium. It’s going to be loud. Auburn by a landslide.

Lee Corso predicts an Auburn win “by a field goal.”

Kirk Herbstreit agreed with Saban, saying it might be a better year than many may think on The Plains.

“They are call it the Freeze Four,” he said of the Auburn receivers. “Everyone talks about Payton Thorne and the Hugh Freeze offense last year not being effective. Now, that Hugh Freeze is calling the plays, Payton Thorne with all the experience and all these receivers. They win today, and I think they have a great year.

Here are the picks:

Ga. Tech-Syracuse

• Howard: Syracuse
• Saban: Ga. Tech
• McAfee: Ga. Tech
• Phelps: Ga. Tech
• Corso: Syracuse
• Herbstreit: Ga. Tech

Auburn-Cal

• Howard: Auburn
• Saban: Auburn
• McAfee: Auburn
• Phelps: Auburn
• Corso: Auburn
• Herbstreit: Auburn

Kansas-Illinois

• Howard: Kansas
• Saban: Kansas
• McAfee: Kansas
• Phelps: Kansas
• Corso: Kansas
• Herbstreit: Illinois

Arkansas-Oklahoma State

• Howard: Okla. State
• Saban: Okla. State
• McAfee: Arkansas
• Phelps: Okla. State
• Corso: Arkansas
• Herbstreit: Arkansas

Iowa-Iowa State

• Howard: Iowa
• Saban: Iowa
• McAfee: Iowa
• Phelps: Iowa
• Corso: Iowa
• Herbstreit: Iowa

South Carolina-Kentucky

• Howard: Kentucky
• Saban: Kentucky
• McAfee: South Carolina
• Phelps: South Carolina
• Corso: Kentucky
• Herbstreit: Kentucky

Colorado-Nebraska

• Howard: Colorado
• Saban: Nebraska
• McAfee: Nebraska
• Phelps: Nebraska
• Corso: Nebraska
• Herbstreit: Nebraska

Tennessee-NC State

• Howard: Tennessee
• Saban: Tennessee
• McAfee: Tennessee
• Phelps: Tennessee
• Corso: Tennessee
• Herbstreit: No pick

Texas-Michigan

• Howard: Michigan
• Saban: Texas
• McAfee: Michigan
• Phelps: Michigan
• Corso: Texas
• Herbstreit: Texas
• Reece Davis: Texas

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.