Nick Saban addresses potential to make Texas A&M game personal

On3 imageby:Sam Gillenwater08/12/22

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Nick Saban’s feud with Jimbo Fisher was one of the biggest storylines of the offseason. Saban’s commentary of how Fisher and Texas A&M was using NIL caused quite the back and forth between the two. With the spat behind them, focus has started to shift towards the next time the two meet on the field.

During an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show, Saban discussed Alabama’s upcoming game against the Aggies. He says it is nothing personal between the two teams besides what goes on on the field and that his comments were more so focused on college football as a whole.

“It is not personal at all. The game is about the players,” said Saban. “My concern was not directed to any particular school. I should have never mentioned any particular school. It was really the state of college football in terms of where we are, how we’re doing things and what’s happening.”

Saban says one reason he has no issues with NIL is because how his team has benefitted from it. During SEC Media Days, Saban said his players made over three million dollars in the first year of NIL. What it could do to the sport as a whole, though, was always what concerned him.

“I’m all for the players (and) I’m all for name, image and likeness. I don’t think it was the intention that that whole scenario be used as a recruiting tool for anyone. It’s really my concern about the game, but I’m all for the players,” Saban said. “Our players are doing very well in name, image and likeness and we want to continue to support them in that way.”

Regardless of what the two coaches say, there will likely be some extra animosity between the two teams on October 8th. Nick Saban’s loss to Fisher and the Aggies last season already guaranteed that. Their summer feud only poured additional fuel on that fire. There may be no avoiding the flames reigniting come October but, to this point, Saban has been long ready for this controversy to go away.