Nick Saban Says This SEC Program Can 'Match Up With Anybody' In 2024

Nick Saban spent his collegiate coaching career with the Kent State Golden Flashes (1973-76), Syracuse Orange (1977), West Virginia Mountaineers (1978-79), Ohio State Buckeyes (1980-81), Navy Midshipmen (1982), Michigan State Spartans (1983-87), Toledo Rockets (1990), Michigan State again as head coach (1995-99), LSU Tigers (2000-04), and Alabama Crimson Tide (2007-23). His best years were at Alabama, including coaches he had on staff.

Saban had current head coaches like Kirby Smart, Lane Kiffin, Steve Sarkisian, Mike Locksley, and Billy Napier as assistants at Alabama. Smart is now with the Georgia Bulldogs, Kiffin with the Ole Miss Rebels, Sarkisian with the Texas Longhorns, Locksley with the Maryland Terrapins, and Napier with the Florida Gators.

In a recent episode of "The Pat McAfee Show," Saban talked about the job Kiffin has done at Ole Miss. While Saban noted that the offensive line has been an issue for Ole Miss in the past, he said the Rebels can "match up with anybody" this season.

"Ole Miss is gonna be good," Saban said. "Ole Miss is gonna look like a big-time program up front, which has always been their issue. They lost to Georgia and us last year because they couldn't match up upfront. Skill-wise, quarterback-wise, they can match up with anybody."

Quarterback Jaxson Dart, wide receiver Tre Harris, WR Jordan Watkins, running back Ulysses Bentley IV, and tight end Caden Prieskorn are some returning players for Ole Miss this season.

In addition, Ole Miss added top talent from the portal, such as former South Carolina Gamecocks wideout Juice Wells, former Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Walter Nolen, former Florida edge rusher Princely Umanmielen, and former Miami Hurricanes RB Henry Parrish.

Ole Miss opens the season against the Furman Paladins on Aug. 31. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. ET on SEC Network+ and ESPN+.

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