Nick Saban may have just earned himself the title of public enemy No. 1 in Columbus, Ohio, after a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. The legendary Alabama coach didn’t hold back in his comments about Ohio State fans, especially their intense relationship with Michigan, following a disappointing loss in their regular-season finale.
Saban didn’t mince words as he criticized Ohio State supporters for dwelling too much on the Buckeyes’ failure to Michigan, suggesting they should move forward rather than fixate on past defeats. “These Ohio State fans? They’ve got a psychotic obsession with Michigan, and they need to go get therapy or something to try to get it fixed,” Saban remarked, bluntly pointing out the obsession that seems to cloud their judgment.
He went on to express his disbelief that Ohio State fans weren’t more excited about their opportunity to compete for a national championship. “They have a chance to win the national championship, and here you are, and nobody’s excited about their opportunity to play because they lost to Michigan,” he said. “It was a tough game, and they lost, probably due to some of the mistakes they made. But those are fixable mistakes.”
Before launching his critique, Saban acknowledged the talent on Ohio State’s roster, praising the Buckeyes as the most talented team still alive in the college football playoff. However, he also raised questions about whether they could bring their best performance when it matters most. “If they play like they did against Tennessee, they’ll have a really good chance to win a championship,” Saban added, emphasizing that consistency in execution would be key.
To be fair, the alarmist talk surrounding Ohio State’s prospects has quieted somewhat since the Buckeyes’ impressive 42-13 victory over Tennessee at Ohio Stadium on December 21, especially with Michigan missing out on a playoff spot. However, the pressure on head coach Ryan Day and the Ohio State program remains immense, as they prepare for a quarterfinal showdown with No. 1 Oregon at the Rose Bowl. Much of the pressure stems from Ohio State’s fourth consecutive loss to Michigan in late November, a result that has left fans and analysts alike questioning the Buckeyes’ ability to deliver when it counts.
The “title or bust” mentality has been the mantra surrounding Ohio State since September, particularly in light of reports suggesting the program has built a $20 million roster aimed solely at achieving a national championship. Despite the high expectations, Ohio State’s season took a hit with a narrow 32-31 loss to Oregon on October 12 in Eugene, adding to the weight of their postseason pressure.
Ryan Day’s overall record stands at an impressive 67-10, with two Big Ten championships to his name. Yet, Ohio State’s primary goal remains elusive: their first national championship since 2014. With the stakes higher than ever, the Buckeyes face a pivotal moment in their pursuit of glory.
Nick Saban says Ohio State fans have ‘psychotic obsession’ with Michigan
