Nick Saban — and one of his former star pupils — expressed his frustration at ESPN’s Pat McAfee after the “College GameDay” panelist defied expectations by predicting that No. 2 Georgia would beat sixth-ranked Alabama on the road on Saturday night.
The other panelists — Desmond Howard, Alabama alumnus and Panthers QB Bryce Young and Saban — chose the Crimson Tide to win.
Alabama has a 5-2 record against Georgia since 2020, going 2-0 at home in that span.
Despite a loud Alabama crowd inside Coleman Coliseum, McAfee trusted his instincts and predicted the Bulldogs would secure a key road victory.
Saban and Young took exception, shoving McAfee off the desk and to the ground.
He then apologized to Saban as he was hit and pushed out of his seat onto the floor. And he kept apologizing to Saban — even while getting hit.
Some fans felt that McAfee should’ve known the risks of going against the respected college coach.
“Picking Georgia in Tuscaloosa with Saban sitting at the desk was always going to end with Pat on the floor. He knew the risks,” one fan wrote on X.
Others were confused by Saban’s actions.
“That was a brutal punch, how is Saban not arrested for that devastating blow?!” another fan asked.
The Bulldogs (5-0) enter Saturday night undefeated and have scored at least 38 points in each game.
Quarterback Gunner Stockton leads the team, throwing for 1,049 yards and 13 touchdowns while completing 76 percent of his passes, the third-best mark in the nation entering Saturday.
The Crimson Tide return home with momentum after a 56-23 road win against then-No. 16 Mississippi State. Sophomore quarterback Keelon Russell continues to impress, averaging 282.8 passing yards per game and throwing 11 touchdowns.
McAfee is eager to see if Georgia can get revenge for the “GameDay” beatdown as the two SEC powerhouses face off at 7:30 p.m. ET — weather permitting.
