<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3E90Qy_0wEho5HO00" style="display:none" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3E90Qy_0wEho5HO00" width="1200" height="602" ><figure><iframe height="360" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/78KVGvk2-Gqa7hx4c.html" width="100%"></iframe><figcaption>Michigan’s NCAA Football Cheating Scandal Explained (1:20) </figcaption></figure> Desmond Howard's Michigan allegiance cost him on Saturday. During Week 8's College GameDay , the former Heisman Trophy winner picked his alma mater to defeat Illinois. Howard's confidence didn't pay off, as the Wolverines lost 21-7 at Champaign. Michigan fell to 4-3 with its second straight loss. Once Howard made his pick, he received some playful pushback from his new colleague. Nick Saban wondered how objective the former wide receiver was being when backing the Wolverines. "Have you ever picked against Michigan?" <a href="https://x.com/CFBDeepDive/status/1847669885532590276" rel="nofollow"> Saban asked </a> . The "never pick against Michigan" approach worked when the Wolverines went 15-0 en route to a national championship last season. Howard's alma mater lost three games in Jim Harbaugh's final three seasons as head coach, but they have already matched that tally this season under Sherrone Moore. However, SEC fans may roll their eyes at Saban challenging his colleague's homerism. The former Alabama head coach also paid for his loyalty on Saturday when he <a href="https://x.com/CollegeFBonX/status/1847669407763378185" rel="nofollow"> incorrectly predicted </a> a Crimson Tide victory over Tennessee. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3qd3pO_0wEho5HO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3qd3pO_0wEho5HO00" width="1200" height="800" ><figcaption>PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs off the field at halftime during the CFP Semifinal Rose Bowl Game against the Michigan Wolverines at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 1, 2024 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images) <a href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/1906285701" rel="nofollow"> Ryan Kang&amp;solGetty Images </a></figcaption></figure> Playing favorites worked in Saban's favor when calling an Alabama upset over Georgia. On the other hand, he randomly reached the wrong outcome by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI5VNcWcaQM" rel="nofollow"> flipping a coin </a> to pick a Texas victory over Georgia because he couldn't decide between former assistants Steve Sarkisian and Kirby Smart. Like Howard, Saban may have to think harder about always supporting his former school. The Crimson Tide have lost two of their last three games behind his successor, Kalen DeBoer. College GameDay fans will see if Howard and Saban challenge their biases next Saturday before Michigan plays Michigan State and Alabama hosts Missouri. <a href="https://thespun.com/sec/alabama-crimson-tide/nick-saban-asked-to-predict-when-alabama-will-fire-kalen-deboer" rel="nofollow"> Related: Nick Saban Asked To Predict When Alabama Will Fire Kalen DeBoer </a></div></body>

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Nick Saban Called Out Desmond Howard For His Michigan Bias On Saturday

Desmond Howard's Michigan allegiance cost him on Saturday. During Week 8's College GameDay, the former Heisman Trophy winner picked his alma mater to defeat Illinois. Howard's confidence didn't pay off, as the Wolverines lost 21-7 at Champaign. Michigan fell to 4-3 with its second straight loss. ...