Nick Saban Reacts to Mario Cristobal's 'ACC Bulls--t' in Funny Video on CFB Conference Debate

College football coaching legend Nick Saban jokingly called out Miami head coach Mario Cristobal for attempting to convince him that the ACC is better than the SEC.

"This guy is the best salesman in the history of ball," Saban said during a Friday appearance on the Pat McAfee Show (0:11 mark). "He's a great recruiter but if he ever gets fired, he'll be the best used car salesman in south Florida. I guarantee, no doubt. He calls me up with this ACC bulls--t."

"He's always trying to convince me that the ACC's better than the SEC," he added. "The SEC has nine teams in the top 25. That's all I know. It's a deep conference. It just is. I know that the Big Ten is a really good conference and getting better when it comes to depth, but really good at the top with Ohio State and Oregon. But anyway, it is what it is. He's never going to convince me, never, that the ACC is better than the SEC."

While Cristobal and Miami couldn't capture the ACC title last season, they still compiled a 13-3 record and advanced to the College Football Playoff national championship game.

The Hurricanes were ultimately defeated by Indiana, the Big Ten champions.

As for Saban, his 17 seasons at Alabama were highlighted by six national titles and nine SEC championships.

Cristobal was previously a member of Saban's coaching staff on the Crimson Tide, operating in several roles with the school from 2013-16.

Miami is entering the 2026 season attempting to become the first ACC team to win the CFP since Clemson in 2018.