Video: Nick Saban Tabs Georgia Tech as ACC 'Sleeper' Ahead of CFB Opener vs. FSU

Nick Saban is still getting accustomed to his new gig as a college football analyst for ESPN, but he dropped what might count as a bold take on Saturday's episode of College Gameday.

The former Alabama head coach tabbed Georgia Tech as a "sleeper" in ACC this season.

It's not exactly like a Stephen A. Smith-style proclamation to say a team could be feisty, but Saban is still getting his media legs underneath him.

Saban did lay out a rational argument for why the Yellow Jackets could be a surprise team. He cited their offense being a top-three unit in the conference last season before explaining that new defensive coordinator Tyler Santucci and incoming transfers could lead to improved results on that side of the ball.

Georgia Tech finished 7-6 last season with a defense that ranked 97th out of 133 FBS teams in points allowed per game (29.5). Santucci joined head coach Brent Key's staff after spending last season at Duke as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

The Blue Devils ranked 17th in points allowed per game last season (19.0). They held opponents to fewer than 20 points in seven of 13 games, including Clemson in a 28-7 season-opening victory.

Competition in the ACC figures to be even more difficult this year with California, SMU and Stanford joining the conference. Georgia Tech finished fourth in the ACC last year with a 5-3 record in conference play.

Georgia Tech's 7-6 record in 2023 marked the program's first winning season since 2018 (7-6). The program hasn't won at least 10 games in a season since going 11-2 in 2014 and lost to Florida State in the ACC Championship Game.

The Yellow Jackets have an opportunity to make Saban look smart on Saturday. They are taking on Florida State—ranked No. 10 in the Associated Press Preseason Top 25 poll—at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland.