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Nick Saban praises Miami's progress amid ACC criticism

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 18, 2026, 11:45 PM

Last updated Sep 18, 2026

Nick Saban praises Miami's progress amid ACC criticism

Summary

Nick Saban expressed his admiration for Miami's development under head coach Mario Cristobal during a recent episode of 'The Pat McAfee Show'. While complimenting Cristobal's achievements in recruiting and coaching, Saban maintained his criticism of the ACC, asserting the SEC's superiority. He acknowledged Miami's 2026 performance after reaching the national championship game last season, suggesting an ongoing debate between the two coaches regarding conference rankings. Saban emphasized that Cristobal is unlikely to convince him otherwise, highlighting the competitive nature of the SEC with nine teams currently in the Top 25.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Saban praises Cristobal's coaching and recruiting at Miami.
•He expresses skepticism about the ACC compared to the SEC.
•Miami has started 2026 with two wins after last season's championship run.
•Saban and Cristobal's friendly rivalry continues to spark debate.
•Saban notes the SEC has nine teams in this week's Top 25.

Latest Updates

11:45 PMYahoo Sports — Nick Saban Reveals His True Feelings on Miami’s Place in the ACC

What they're saying

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Nick Saban had plenty of praise for Miami, but maybe not so much the ACC. The post Nick Saban Reveals His True Feelings on Miami’s Place in the ACC appeared first on HEAVY.
— Yahoo Sports

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