Nick Saban questions strength of CFP schedule factor as Alabama misses game

Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban believes strength of schedule is a real factor in Sunday’s College Football Playoff rankings and seedings.

Saban watched as his old team was left out of the 12-team field, and SMU made it to the finals despite losing to Clemson in the ACC Tournament. Alabama was seeded 11th in the penultimate bracket but failed to reach the finals.

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Alabama athletics director Greg Byrne noted Saturday night that the Crimson Tide ranked third in opponent winning percentage and had three wins against the team in the CFP poll before the results were announced. He wrote on X, “Strength of schedule matters.”

But Saban said on ESPN that if strength of schedule really matters, Alabama might be rated higher.

“I think one of the things I’ve mentioned throughout football season is what good is it going to do to schedule really good teams down the road if we don’t take into account the intensity of the schedule,” Saban said. “Like, in Ala. Bama State, he should play Notre Dame, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Florida State in the future outside of the (SEC).

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Nick Saban and his family are honored to rename Nick Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on September 7, 2024. (Gary Cosby Jr. – USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images)

“Well, these are great games that fans can see — and that’s what I think we should be doing in college football, it’s creating more of an inventory of great games that people are interested in — but do you empower people Want to do something?

Saban did say, however, that he believes the 12 best teams in college football are in the bracket.

“But at the same time, I do think the best team is going to make the playoffs, and I think that’s the most important thing,” Saban said. “No coach should have any complaints about their situation because they all control their own destiny and they all have opportunities. They have some flaws and serious losses that have contributed to their situation.

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Karen DeBoer during warmups before their game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Bryant-Denny Stadium. (Will McClelland-USA TODAY Sports)

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“So it’s a learning lesson for every team and everybody on the team.”

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