Paul Finebaum makes historic prediction on Nick Saban, Alabama

Nick Saban is 70 years old. As he and Alabama get ready for the national championship — and as people might wonder how much he has left in the tank — ESPN personality Paul Finebaum made a bold prediction.

During Friday’s edition of “First Take” on ESPN, Finebaum talked about how Saban and Alabama can keep things rolling. The Crimson Tide are coming off a national championship last year and have a chance at repeating for the first time since 2011-12.

Finebaum thinks a lot comes down to how things go on Monday. However, if Alabama comes out on top, watch out.

“I thought three years ago when he lost by 28 to Clemson that maybe things were starting to tighten for his future, but he has shattered that myth right now,” Finebaum said. “He won last year in a COVID year, he could win this year. He’s 70 years old and only Bobby Bowden has won a national championship at that age.

“If Saban wins Monday night, I think he has 2-3 more (championships) in him. And why not? A lot of people are saying, ‘Why don’t you walk away?’ Well, why would you walk away when you have Bryce Young coming back? He’s the best player in college football.”

Then, Finebaum doubled down. Saban has the Heisman Trophy winner under center in Bryce Young and other impressive playmakers on both sides of the ball. Who’s to say Alabama can’t run it back again next year?

“I think the window is wide open for him to keep piling on,” Finebaum said. “And he’s not only the best coach in college football history. We’re beginning to think about him as the greatest coach in any sport if he wins again Monday night.”

Paul Finebaum previews national championship game, key difference in rematch

SEC football analyst Paul Finebaum shared his take on the upcoming rematch of the SEC title game on Jan. 10. The Alabama Crimson Tide and Georgia Bulldogs face off once again but Finebaum expects to see a different game play out.

“I think conventional wisdom would say it wouldn’t be the same game,” Finebaum said. “Still not really sure it is going to change dramatically, I mean it’s obvious what the big difference is between today and a month ago, it’s probably John Metchie. We saw indications of that Friday afternoon in Dallas.

“I think the buildup will be similar, other than there really is a lot of pressure on Georgia. You can never say Alabama is playing with house money, but they’ve beaten Georgia. Whether a rematch is an advantage or a disadvantage can be debated until the end of time. The coaching matchup clearly favors one team, and I think we all know which one that is.”