Nick Saban Blasts OSU Fans for Caring So Much About Michigan Rivalry Game in New Video

Legendary college football coach Nick Saban called out what he described as "psychotic" Ohio State fans who place the Michigan game over everything else on the schedule.

Saban said Wednesday on The Pat McAfee Show he'd care more about capturing a national championship than earning a win over the Wolverines:

There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to enjoying college football.

Some fans follow their alma maters, regardless of how successful they are on the gridiron. Others gravitate toward a traditional power because of a generational connection or due to the fact it's simply more fun to root for a winning team.

Likewise, rivalry games have lost some of their luster because the stakes aren't the same in the era of a 12-team playoff. In the case of Ohio State, the head-to-head battles against Michigan were more meaningful since the outcome would often decide the Big Ten representative in the Rose Bowl. Now, the Buckeyes can come up short in "The Game" and still go on to lift a title.

Still, rivalries remain the lifeblood of the sport, and Saban's comments are all the more perplexing since he experienced one of college football's most passionate firsthand.

The gap between Alabama and Auburn widened during Saban's reign in Tuscaloosa, but that did little to diminish the Iron Bowl. And ask Crimson Tide fans whether the "Kick Six" still sticks in their craw despite Bama being a national champion six times under Saban.

For Ohio State fans, winning the College Football Playoff in 2024 doesn't totally erase the sting of a four-game losing streak to the Wolverines. It's no different than how John Cooper, who boasted a .715 winning percentage overall, is defined by his 2-10-1 record in the Michigan game.

A fifth straight defeat in "The Game" wouldn't put Ryan Day back on the hot seat, but it would place a greater importance on OSU's CFP repeat bid to deem this year a success.