Nick Saban, the legendary former Alabama football coach and current ESPN analyst, made headlines during a recent appearance on College GameDay at the University of Texas. The show, which took place on the South Mall ahead of Texas’ matchup against the Georgia Bulldogs on October 19, 2024, featured a notable moment where Saban shut down one of Desmond Howard’s repeated attempts to discredit Ohio State’s accomplishments this season.
Howard, a Michigan football legend and Heisman Trophy winner, has been known for his staunch support of his alma mater and his tendency to criticize Ohio State. Since joining ESPN in 2005, Howard has gained a reputation for his unwavering allegiance to Michigan, often at the expense of fairness when discussing the Wolverines’ rivals. This postseason, however, Howard’s commentary has reached new levels of intensity, to the point where even his fellow analysts have expressed frustration.
The latest incident unfolded during a discussion on College GameDay. Howard brought up Ohio State’s loss to Michigan in November, arguing that the defeat undermined the Buckeyes’ potential national championship run. He suggested that a title win for Ohio State would feel hollow given their inability to defeat Michigan. Nick Saban, however, wasn’t having it.
Drawing from his own experiences as a coach, Saban immediately countered Howard’s argument. “We lost [Alabama] to Auburn, which is like Ohio State and Michigan,” Saban said. “We went on to win a National Championship, and guess what, Des? No one remembers.”
Howard, not one to back down easily, responded, “Well, I remember that, coach.” His remark, however, came across as more of a deflection than a substantial counterpoint.
Even Kirk Herbstreit, an ESPN colleague and Ohio State alumnus who has occasionally faced criticism from Buckeye fans for being too neutral, stepped in to defend his alma mater. Herbstreit cited Ohio State’s loss to Michigan as a turning point for the Buckeyes, emphasizing that the team had used the defeat as motivation in their quest for a national title.
This exchange highlighted the growing divide between Howard’s increasingly biased takes and the more measured perspectives offered by analysts like Saban and Herbstreit. While Howard’s loyalty to Michigan is understandable, his insistence on framing Ohio State’s season through the lens of their rivalry loss seemed out of touch with the bigger picture of college football.
For Ohio State, the focus is no longer on their loss to Michigan. While “The Game” remains a sore spot for Buckeyes fans, the team has moved on and is concentrating on their remaining challenges. Heading into Friday night’s matchup, Ohio State’s primary concern is their performance against Texas. Should they win the Cotton Bowl, they would then face Notre Dame with hopes of securing a spot in the national championship game.
The idea that Michigan’s victory over Ohio State in November somehow invalidates the Buckeyes’ potential success this season is, at best, an exaggerated narrative. While the rivalry is undeniably important, the postseason offers a different stage where teams can redefine their legacies. Ohio State’s players and coaching staff are fully aware that their ultimate goal is a national title, not merely revenge against Michigan.
Howard’s arguments might resonate with Michigan fans, but they fail to account for the broader realities of college football. Teams often suffer setbacks during the season, but the true measure of greatness lies in how they respond to adversity. Saban’s example of Alabama bouncing back from a rivalry loss to win a national championship is a testament to this fact. His statement that “no one remembers” regular-season defeats once a championship is secured underscores the insignificance of such losses in the grand scheme of things.
Ohio State’s ability to overcome their defeat to Michigan and remain in contention for a national title speaks volumes about their resilience and determination. While the loss to Michigan will undoubtedly remain a topic of conversation in future seasons, it does not define the Buckeyes’ 2024 campaign. Instead, their focus is on writing a new chapter in their storied history, one that transcends the rivalry and highlights their pursuit of excellence on the national stage.
As the Buckeyes prepare for their matchup against Texas, the narrative surrounding their season continues to evolve. Regardless of the outcome, Ohio State’s journey this year will serve as a reminder of the unpredictability and drama that make college football so compelling. For Michigan and their supporters, the time to celebrate their recent dominance in the rivalry will come again, but for now, the spotlight remains on the teams still in contention for the sport’s ultimate prize.
In the meantime, analysts like Saban and Herbstreit provide valuable perspective, reminding fans and viewers that college football is about more than any single game or rivalry. Saban’s calm dismissal of Howard’s argument serves as a refreshing counterbalance to the sometimes overly emotional discourse that surrounds the sport. By focusing on the broader implications of a team’s performance and potential, Saban helps shift the conversation toward what truly matters: the pursuit of greatness and the stories that emerge from it.
As the 2024 college football season reaches its climax, fans will continue to debate the significance of rivalry games and their impact on a team’s legacy. However, the ultimate measure of success lies in a team’s ability to seize opportunities when they arise. For Ohio State, that means putting the past behind them and focusing on what lies ahead. Whether they achieve their goal of winning a national championship or fall short, their resilience in the face of adversity will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the defining traits of their season.
In the end, the rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan will always hold a special place in the hearts of fans and players alike. But as Nick Saban’s words remind us, the story of college football is far more complex and dynamic than any single game or rivalry. It’s a story of triumph and heartbreak, of teams rising to the occasion and proving their mettle on the grandest stages. And for Ohio State, that story is still being written.
