Nick Saban played the role of analyst ahead of the College Football Playoff national championship between No. 1 Georgia and No. 3 TCU.

The Alabama coach appeared on ESPN’s “College GameDay,” and while he didn’t give a prediction on the outcome of the game – like Lee Corso and Pat McAfee and the guys – he did give his keys to the game.

“I think TCU is going to have score 40+ points to have a chance to win the game,” Saban explained. “I think Georgia has too much offense. I think they are going to score a lot of points. A lot of these games that we’ve been at have been high-scoring games because of talented players on both sides of the ball.

“If TCU has a chance, they have to score plus-40. Otherwise, Georgia is going to win the game.”

David Pollack, a former Georgia star, is going with the Bulldogs.

“I think it’s Georgia and their talent,” he said. “I trust them on a big stage. What you saw from their defense had a lot to do with Ohio State a week ago and how good they are. I think this defense will play a lot better and make it really hard for TCU to move the football.”

Howard, a former Michigan star, thinks it is all TCU.

“I love Georgia,” he said. “I think Georgia is the best team on the field. I just believe that TCU is a team of destiny. They are going to find a way to pull it off tonight. I’m gonna go Horned Frogs in a close one.

Pat McAfee was a little more animated with his pick.

“In the Fiesta Bowl, they beat the hell out of the Michigan Wolverines that was supposed to be an old-school team that were going to run them out of the gym,” he declared. “I love those toads that eat those mushrooms.

“With that being said, this Georgia team is a professional football outfit. Kirby Smart is unbelievable. His timeout during that fake punt showcased his big brain. Stetson Bennett is 25 years old. He’s so damn comfortable. Darnell Washington’s a backup tight end. He’s 6-7, 270. Brock Bowers best player on the field. The defense is full of dawgs. Give me the Georgia Bulldogs to go back to back, first time since this man (Nick Saban) and his Alabama squad. I love the Bulldogs barking all over the place tonight.

Corso, on the other hand, was a little more subtle after admitting he picked both CFP semifinal games wrong.

“It’s a new year,” he said. “I feel great.”

He went to grab the Uga mascot head before tossing it aside for a TCU hat.

Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.