Nick Saban Highlights SEC Strength Disadvantage in College Football Playoff Selection

Nick Saban, former Alabama head coach and ESPN analyst, predicts that Texas, LSU, Florida, Alabama, and Georgia are the top contenders in the SEC for the 2025 college football season. He highlights the challenge SEC teams face due to the playoff selection process that penalizes losses more than it rewards strength of schedule, citing Alabama's exclusion from last year's College Football Playoff despite strong top-25 wins. Saban hopes the committee will adjust its criteria to better value strength of schedule and not penalize teams for playing in conference championships. The SEC has pushed for these changes, distributing literature and analyzing the impact of expanding conference games to address this issue. LSU, with a revamped roster, is seen as a team poised to make a significant leap, opening the season with a key matchup against Clemson. Overall, Saban underscores the depth and competitiveness of the SEC while advocating for a fairer playoff selection process that reflects that strength.