Nick Saban may have traded the headset for the analyst’s chair, but make no mistake-he’s still reading the game like a coach. And as Alabama gears up for a College Football Playoff clash with top-seeded Indiana, Saban’s message is clear: don’t sleep on the Hoosiers.
During a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Saban didn’t hold back his praise for the undefeated Hoosiers, calling them “a really good football team” and “a physical football team.” And coming from a guy who built a dynasty on physicality and discipline, that’s not lip service-it’s a warning.
“From a fan perspective, people don’t always see it the way we do,” Saban said. “Indiana is a damn good team.”
That’s high praise from a man who’s seen it all. Saban zeroed in on Indiana’s performance against Ohio State, a game that turned heads not just for the win, but for how they won.
The Hoosiers didn’t just survive the Buckeyes-they stood toe-to-toe and matched their physicality. That’s the kind of defensive grit that doesn’t always show up on highlight reels, but it’s exactly what coaches and analysts notice.
“I didn’t think they could play as physical as they played,” Saban admitted. “That could be a problem for Alabama because they struggle to run the ball.”
That’s the chess match looming in this semifinal. Alabama, still among the elite in college football, has leaned on its defense and big-play ability this season, but the run game has had its inconsistencies. If Indiana’s front can hold up-and especially if they can control the line of scrimmage the way they did against Ohio State-this game could turn into a grind.
That said, Indiana will be without one of their defensive anchors. Defensive tackle Stephen Daley, who racked up 24 tackles and 5.5 sacks this season, suffered a freak injury while celebrating with fans after that win over the Buckeyes. His absence is a tough blow for a unit that thrives on interior disruption, and it puts added pressure on the rest of the front seven to maintain their physical edge.
Still, this Indiana team isn’t just a feel-good story. They’re undefeated for a reason.
The CFP is their chance to prove they belong in the national spotlight-not just as a surprise entrant, but as a legitimate title threat. And if you ask Saban, they’ve already earned that respect, even if the rest of the country hasn’t quite caught on.
“This is going to be a very challenging game for Alabama,” he said.
Coming from the man who once built Alabama into the standard, that’s not just commentary. That’s insight.