Current:Home > StocksWho did Nick Saban pick to make the College Football Playoff on 'College GameDay'? -Clarity Finance Guides
Who did Nick Saban pick to make the College Football Playoff on 'College GameDay'?
View
Date:2025-04-19 11:35:53
College football has been back for less than 24 hours, and Nick Saban already has his eyes set on the College Football Playoff.
But this year, the former Alabama football coach is looking at the newly adopted 12-team model from a different perspective: analyst.
During Saturday's Week 0 edition of ESPN's "College GameDay" in Dublin, Saban made his projections for the College Football Playoff and national championship selection. And to no surprise, Saban's picks were given with the coach's in-depth analysis.
This year is the first year that the College Football Playoff field will expand to 12 teams, with each of the Power Four conference champions earning first-round byes. As for the other eight teams in the field, those will be at-large teams selected by the College Football Playoff selection committee. The first release of the CFP rankings is set for Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. ET.
Here's what you need to know on who Saban picked to make the College Football Playoff and win the national championship on Saturday's edition of "College GameDay":
Nick Saban's College Football Playoff projection
Saban had Alabama in the College Football Playoff as a No. 7 seed and hosting Notre Dame at Bryant-Denny Stadium in the first round, a new change to the playoff format this year. He also picked Liberty, which competes in Conference USA and received 15 votes in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll, to make the CFP as the No. 12 seed.
"I have Georgia, Ohio State, Florida State and Utah. Those are my four bye teams," Saban said.
Of the 12 teams he picked, Saban said he doesn't believe those within college football are talking enough of Penn State and LSU, the latter of the two being a former stomping ground for Saban back in the early 2000s.
"I think Penn State's got a really good team and a great culture. They would have been in the playoff with 12 team playoff the last couple years," Saban said. "I think (LSU quarterback Garrett) Nussmeier is going to be one of the sleepers in college football this year at quarterback. LSU always has skilled guys..."
Here's who Saban picked to make the College Football Playoff this season:
- 1. Georgia (SEC champion)
- 2. Ohio State (Big Ten champion)
- 3. Florida State (ACC champion)
- 4. Utah (Big 12 champion)
- 5. Texas vs. 12. Liberty
- 8. Ole Miss vs. 9. Penn State
- 6. Oregon vs. 11. LSU
- 7. Alabama vs. 10. Notre Dame
Nick Saban 'College GameDay' National Championship projection
- Pick: Georgia
Saban chose Alabama and SEC foe Georgia to be the last one standing and hoist the national championship trophy in Atlanta come January.
If Georgia does go on to win the CFP and the national championship, it would be the third national championship title for the Bulldogs in four years.
"I'm still going with the fact that somebody has to prove that they can beat Georgia," said Saban on why he chose the Bulldogs, citing the dominance of Georgia in recent years in college football.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
veryGood! (878)
Related
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- Kyler Murray throws 3 TD passes as Cardinals rally past Eagles, disrupt Philly’s playoff path
- Controversy again? NFL officials' latest penalty mess leaves Lions at a loss
- Kyler Murray throws 3 TD passes as Cardinals rally past Eagles, disrupt Philly’s playoff path
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- Consulting firm McKinsey agrees to $78 million settlement with insurers over opioids
- AFC playoff picture: Baltimore Ravens secure home-field advantage
- Yes, Michigan's Jim Harbaugh can be odd and frustrating. But college football needs him.
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- The year in review: Top news stories of 2023 month-by-month
Ranking
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- 2024 Winter Classic: Live stream, time, weather, how to watch Golden Knights at Kraken
- Bradley women's basketball coach Kate Popovec-Goss returns from 10-game suspension
- Special counsel Jack Smith urges appeals court to reject Trump's claim of presidential immunity
- Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
- College Football Playoff semifinals could set betting records
- Music producers push for legal protections against AI: There's really no regulation
- How to watch or stream the 2024 Rose Bowl Parade on New Year's Day
Recommendation
Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II to step down from throne on Jan. 14
2023 NFL MVP odds tracker: Lamar Jackson is huge favorite heading into final week
Pakistan election officials reject former prime minister Khan’s candidacy in parliamentary election
Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
Ravens claim No. 1 seed in AFC playoffs with another dominant display against Dolphins
2023 NFL MVP odds tracker: Lamar Jackson is huge favorite heading into final week
Off-duty police officer is killed in North Carolina after witnessing a crime at a gas station