Follow @CFBBusiness on X

Home › Quotes › Nick Saban › Nov 6, 2026

Nick Saban, Nov 6, 2026

Nick Saban, Former Alabama head coach; ESPN analyst · Nov 6, 2026 · 12-team/revenue-sharing (2024-26) · permalink

“There’s not 24 teams in the country that can win the National Championship.”

On the New Heights podcast with Jason and Travis Kelce, published Nov. 6, 2026: Opposed a 24-team playoff, arguing that the field exceeds the number of teams capable of winning the national title.

Source: USA TODAY: Nick Saban unloads on 24-team College Football Playoff: ‘There’s not 24 teams’

Playoff & bowls

More from Nick Saban

May 2024: At a Capitol Hill appearance with Sen. Cruz, said NIL plus free agency means whoever raises the most money buys the best players.
Nov 2025: On ESPN's College GameDay, while discussing the sport's calendar and in-season coaching moves, Saban called for a national commissioner over…
Dec 2025: On The Pat McAfee Show, said the playoff boosted interest but the 'underbelly' is bad for player development; the sport must choose between …
Mar 6, 2026: At the White House 'Saving College Sports' roundtable, Saban asked what the guiding principles of college athletics should be. He called for…
Jun 3, 2026: Testifying before the Senate Commerce Committee in support of the Protect College Sports Act, Saban asked Congress to create a national lega…
Jun 3, 2026: At the Senate hearing Saban proposed one transfer opportunity, with another allowed after graduation or in extenuating circumstances, arguin…
Jun 3, 2026: In written sworn testimony, Saban said athletes should be compensated for legitimate NIL but warned against turning NIL into a pay-for-play …
Jun 3, 2026: Said athletes should not be discarded over injury or roster decisions, independent medical judgment must not be overridden, and Congress sho…
Oct 2026: On Theo Von's This Past Weekend podcast (reported by On3 on Oct. 6, 2026; episode date not stated), tied the 33 head-coaching changes after …
Oct 16, 2026: Proposed a 16-team playoff as a compromise, with conference title games kept as a play-in, while conceding the idea has little support.
Oct 16, 2026: Said playoff expansion to 24 teams is driven by schools needing money to pay players while still funding Olympic sports.
Oct 17, 2026: On ESPN's College GameDay, argued there aren't 24 teams worthy of a playoff spot, a day after ESPN and the CFP reached a handshake deal on a…
Oct 17, 2026: On College GameDay, said 9+1 scheduling doesn't require a 24-team field and worried that seasons of 17 or more games are too many for colleg…
Oct 24, 2026: On College GameDay, said NIL money, transfers and outside pressures have become 'rat poison on steroids' for players' ability to stay focuse…
Nov 6, 2026: On the New Heights podcast with Jason and Travis Kelce, published Nov. 6, 2026: Defended the importance of conference championship games to …
Nov 6, 2026: On the New Heights podcast with Jason and Travis Kelce, published Nov. 6, 2026: Opposed sacrificing conference championships for an addition…
Nov 6, 2026: On the New Heights podcast with Jason and Travis Kelce, published Nov. 6, 2026: Supported player compensation but argued that players should…
Nov 6, 2026: On the New Heights podcast with Jason and Travis Kelce, published Nov. 6, 2026: Argued for a roster salary cap under the Protect College Spo…