Saban Flexes on Texas & Calls SEC Race as Smart Defends UGA Discipline While Crying Poor

By Rock Westfall

If anyone thought that retired Alabama coach Nick Saban was going away, they had better think again. The Nicktator stole the show at SEC Media Days and demonstrated why he could be the transfusion needed to reignite ESPN College GameDay into something beyond annoying goofball celebrity guests, safe and predictable sleep-inducing PC vanilla takes, and mascot headgear.

Initially, Saban had a hilariously slow start, forgetting his media credentials , which cost him entry to the festivities. Saban admitted that times are different as a retired coach and joked about having to go back to his room to get the credential. But once the GOAT of college football coaching was allowed in, he emerged as the SEC Media Days leading man with substance and candor that is rare at such events.

All the while, he won the praise of ESPN colleagues for his intense preparation. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey further invited Saban to critique him as needed. In other words, Saban showed who the boss actually is.

The Nicktator Fearlessly Pounds Iron Fist on Multiple Topics

Nick Saban was refreshingly candid and without the annoying coach-speak that usually makes conference media days a crushing bore to avoid. Saban predicted that the Texas Longhorns and Georgia Bulldogs would meet in the SEC championship game. He is an unabashed Arch Manning fan but warned Texas to know its place in the SEC.

"I think Texas, if their defense comes through and they can replace some of the interior people that they lost that were high draft picks and all that, they're really good offensively," Saban said. "And even though their quarterback has missed time -- [Quinn] Ewers has missed time in the last couple years -- Manning was lights-out in the spring game. Arch was like 21 for 25 for 347 yards. That depth at quarterback is probably really important for them because Ewers has missed time the last couple years, a game or two, which could really affect where you end up. So, I really like Texas."

Also, Saban outed himself as a potential reader of this column by saying, “What kind of tickles me is all these [media members] asking these questions about how Texas always ran the [Big 12],” Saban said. “They're not going to run the SEC.”

Saban sees the Ole Miss Rebels as a dangerous dark horse. He praised Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin , his former offensive coordinator, for effectively utilizing the transfer portal. Of course, Kiffin is universally acclaimed as the "Portal King."

Additionally, Saban hedged on the prospects of his Crimson Tide by saying, "I believe in our Alabama team, too," Saban said. "And I believe in [quarterback] Jalen Milroe . I just think the question marks in the secondary, until those get resolved, it's hard to sort of jump on that bandwagon."

Kirby Claims UGA is Getting Smart About Reckless Driving

Last week, I outlined the perpetual reckless driving incidents by the Georgia football program and how Kirby Smart deserves significantly more scrutiny than Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy , who had some controversial things to say on the topic. At SEC Media Days, Smart went on the offensive to change the narrative.

"I can't tell you the things that we've done that no one in the country has done," Smart said. "Let's start with defensive driving, requiring certain incoming guys to take that course, which, as far as I know, nobody in the country has done. Discipline: we suspended a player [Marcus Rosemy] for speeding and driving last year, which is rare. Nobody's ever done that. That hasn't controlled it and prevented it, so why are we still talking about it? Because we've had guys make poor decisions.

"The [NIL] collective has fined players -- substantially. "We've dismissed players that have been involved, and I'm talking about like routine traffic, repeated, repeated violations. ... I actually think the best key is the pocket because you look at what the NFL has done, their model is defined. And if you asked any of our players what they would rather have, they want their money. When I say substantial -- very substantial -- in terms of the hits some guys have taken."

These are impressive words. But so far, the results are not there. If Georgia failed on the field like they do on the streets, Smart would have been fired long ago.

Time will tell. Trend handicappers are not betting on a reversal of culture any time soon. For everyone's sake, let's hope Georgia truly changes.

Thou Shall Not Covet

The Oregon Ducks and head coach Dan Lanning , Smart’s former UGA defensive coordinator, were another topic at SEC Media Days. The Georgia coach has not overlooked Oregon’s wealth and NIL program.

“This year, we took Nike, who I’ve had the great pleasure of meeting Phil Knight and his wonderful wife Penny,” Smart said. "And I wish I could get some of that NIL money that he’s sharing with Dan Lanning. But that’s another note.”

Not that Georgia needs anything. They remain the favorite for the 2024-25 national championship with the most loaded lineup in the land.