Should Alabama Make the CFP Over Miami?
David Letterman on “The Herd” recently predicted the College Football Playoff brackets, and Alabama was selected over Miami. I agree with this decision, and I’ll explain why Alabama’s tougher schedule gives them an edge.
Nick Saban, the legendary coach who retired in January, has taken on a new role at ESPN, working on their popular pregame show “College GameDay.” In a recent segment, comedian Shane Gillis made some humorous comments about the state of college football and the new era of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensations. However, his remark about “everybody can pay their players” and “it’s not just the SEC, it’s not Coach Saban” may have rubbed Saban the wrong way.
Gillis’ comment seemed to imply that either Saban or the Alabama program might have been involved in improper payments to players. However, Saban had already departed the program before the segment, and the coach was not present for Gillis’ remarks. ESPN’s Pat McAfee later reminded Gillis that he had called Saban a “cheater” earlier, which only added to the tension.
After the show, Saban responded to the comment, saying, “I was just joking around. I don’t think the SEC paid players. Ever. I’m joking. Is this not a fun show?” Gillis then turned his attention to Saban’s iconic hat, making a joke about “Ol’ Alabama Jones.”
Saban addressed the topic of his leadership and the Alabama program, stating, “I do believe in integrity. I always tried to run the program that way so players had a better chance to be successful in life. We make more money in the NFL than any other school, 61 players in the league. That was how we developed players.”
Alabama’s consistency and success under Saban’s leadership, with six national titles and seven appearances in the College Football Playoff, cannot be denied. Their rigorous schedule, which includes matchups with top-ranked opponents, demonstrates the program’s resilience and adaptability.
In conclusion, while Gillis’ comments may have been in jest, they still sparked a necessary conversation about the current state of college football and the balance between competitive integrity and player payments. As the College Football Playoff brackets were projected, Alabama’s inclusion over Miami is a suitable selection, given their impressive performance and challenging schedule.