Nick Saban compares JMU’s Playoff spot to minor-league team reaching World Series – The Athletic
Nick Saban is one of several media members to criticize the inclusion of two Group of 5 teams in this year’s CFP field. G Fiume / Getty Images
Nick Saban didn’t hold back on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Thursday, weighing in on the College Football Playoff debate. The ESPN analyst and seven-time national championship coach with LSU and Alabama drew a controversial comparison between Sun Belt champion James Madison being selected for a Playoff spot and traditional powerhouse Notre Dame being left out.
“Would we allow the winner of the Triple-A baseball league — the International League, I don’t even know the name of it — would you let them in the World Series? That’s the equivalent of what we do when JMU gets in the Playoff, and Notre Dame doesn’t,” he said.
He’s not wrong.
The format needs to be fixed.
Having JMU in and ND out is a disgrace.
— Bill Margelewski (@theRealBigMarge) December 18, 2025
Unlike most sports’ postseasons, the CFP doesn’t automatically include all conference champions. A 13-member committee evaluates teams based on record, strength of schedule, conference titles, head-to-head results and comparisons against common opponents, releasing rankings the day after conference title games that determine which 12 teams qualify for the Playoff and how they are seeded. The five highest-ranked conference champions make the field even if they don’t finish in the top 12 of the rankings, which allowed 24th-ranked JMU to earn a Playoff spot while 11th-ranked Notre Dame was left out.
“These guys ought to have their own playoff. … Just give them the money. Each school gets $4 million for playing the first round. Just give them $4 million and put Notre Dame in. Want to see Notre Dame and Oregon play? Hell yeah,” Saban said.
Controversy and commentary over the CFP field have been swirling since the committee announced its selections, with Saban’s comments being among the most recent. Fans and analysts are debating whether the current system works or if there is a better solution. Conference commissioners have until Jan. 23 to make a decision on whether to alter or expand the CFP for 2026, though they have shown little sign of reaching a consensus on the ideal format.
