Nick Saban proposes changes to College Football Playoff selection metrics
3 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 15, 2026, 6:59 AM
Last updated Sep 15, 2026
Former Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban suggested on College GameDay that the College Football Playoff committee should adopt more nuanced metrics to evaluate team performance. Saban argued that raw win totals do not adequately account for strength of schedule, contending that some losses to high-caliber opponents are more impressive than wins against weaker teams. He cited Texas as an example, questioning the comparative value of a loss to Ohio State versus a win over Texas State. Saban advocated for a system similar to the college basketball RPI model to better identify the most qualified teams. The College Football Playoff already incorporates a record strength metric to analyze performance against difficult schedules, a shift implemented after previous criticism regarding selection priorities. Saban continues to push for further refinement of these criteria to ensure top-tier programs are prioritized in the playoff field.
- •Nick Saban suggested that the CFP committee should prioritize quality wins and losses over total win counts.
- •The College Football Playoff implemented a record strength metric to account for schedule difficulty.
- •Saban cited a loss to Ohio State as potentially more valuable than a win over Texas State.
- •Desmond Howard supported the idea that top players prefer competition against high-ranked opponents.
- 6:59 AMYahoo Sports — Nick Saban Sends Strong Warning About Major College Football Playoff Problem
- 9:00 PMYahoo Sports — Nick Saban pushes for CFP to consider ‘quality losses,’ which it’s already doing
- 8:35 PMYahoo Sports — “Some Losses Are Better Than Some Wins”: Nick Saban Proposes Controversial Change To College Football Playoff Evaluation
"Former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban has called for changes in the College Football Playoff selection process on ESPN’s “College GameDay” show. According to Saban, instead of looking only at the total number of wins (raw win totals), the selection committee should place greater emphasis on opponents’ strength and the schedule. Nick Saban […] The post “Some Losses Are Better Than Some Wins”: Nick Saban Proposes Controversial Change To College Football Playoff Evaluation appeared firs
"Nick Saban believes the College Football Playoff has a problem, and the legendary former Alabama coach wants evaluators to rethink how they judge wins and losses.During ESPN’s “College GameDay” on Sept. 12, Saban argued that simply stacking victories shouldn’t necessarily make one team’s resume better than another’s. His larger concern is that the current system […] The post Nick Saban Sends Strong Warning About Major College Football Playoff Problem appeared first on HEAVY.
"Nick Saban should just save everyone’s time and say that only SEC teams should be allowed in the College Football Playoff. By all accounts, the College Football Playoff considers strength of schedule when selecting potential teams to include. The specific criteria have changed and evolved over the years, but there is a general understanding that…
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 15, 2026, 6:59 AMNick Saban Sends Strong Warning About Major College Football Playoff Problem
Nick Saban believes the College Football Playoff has a problem, and the legendary former Alabama coach wants evaluators to rethink how they judge wins and losses.During ESPN’s “College GameDay” on Sept. 12, Saban argued that simply stacking victories shouldn’t necessarily make one team’s resume better than another’s. His larger concern is that the current system […] The post Nick Saban Sends Strong Warning About Major College Football Playoff Problem appeared first on HEAVY.
- Yahoo SportsSep 12, 2026, 9:00 PMNick Saban pushes for CFP to consider ‘quality losses,’ which it’s already doing
Nick Saban should just save everyone’s time and say that only SEC teams should be allowed in the College Football Playoff. By all accounts, the College Football Playoff considers strength of schedule when selecting potential teams to include. The specific criteria have changed and evolved over the years, but there is a general understanding that…
- Yahoo SportsSep 12, 2026, 8:35 PM“Some Losses Are Better Than Some Wins”: Nick Saban Proposes Controversial Change To College Football Playoff Evaluation
Former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban has called for changes in the College Football Playoff selection process on ESPN’s “College GameDay” show. According to Saban, instead of looking only at the total number of wins (raw win totals), the selection committee should place greater emphasis on opponents’ strength and the schedule. Nick Saban […] The post “Some Losses Are Better Than Some Wins”: Nick Saban Proposes Controversial Change To College Football Playoff Evaluation appeared firs
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