Fans react to Nick Saban on ‘GameDay’ set for CFP national championship with humor, fatigue, spite
Alabama may not be playing in the College Football Playoff national championship Monday night, but that didn’t stop coach Nick Saban from being on hand.
Saban joined the set of “College GameDay” ahead of No. 1 Georgia’s showdown with No. 3 TCU.
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Social media had mixed reviews of getting a healthy dose of Crimson Tide on a day when Saban’s team isn’t playing. Many were feeling Alabama fatigue, while others appreciated the football insight, light-hearted banter and the blue suit and red tie.
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Saban’s Tide finished No. 5 in the final CFP rankings and defeated Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl.
Bryce Young passed for 321 yards and five touchdowns, and No. 5 Alabama responded to an early two-score deficit with 35 straight points to defeat No. 11 Kansas State 45-20 in the Sugar Bowl. A number of NFL-bound college stars sat out bowl game but the best prospects played for the Crimson Tide and Wildcats and were at the center of a number of memorable plays. Kansas State running back Deuce Vaughn had an 88-yard touchdown run. Alabama’s Jordan Battle and Brian Branch both had interceptions. Youngs TD passes went to five different receivers.
Meanwhile, No. 1 Georgia could become the first school to repeat as major college football champions since Alabama a decade ago, and the first to go back-to-back in the nine-year history of the four-team playoff. Coach Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs are back in the College Football Playoff championship game Monday night against No. 3 TCU. Heisman Trophy finalist Stetson Bennett and the Bulldogs have been the No. 1 team in the country in 21 of the last 23 AP Top 25 college football polls, dating back to Oct. 10, 2021. Heisman runner-up Max Duggan and the Horned Frogs are the biggest underdog to make the CFP championship game.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.