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Nick Saban, Pat McAfee make college football prediction for SEC championship

Nick Saban offered an interesting college football pick for the SEC championship alongside Pat McAfee during ESPN's "College GameDay."
Jonathan Adams|
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; ESPN analysts Pat McAfee and Nick Saban before the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; ESPN analysts Pat McAfee and Nick Saban before the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

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Alabama Crimson TideTexas A&M Aggies

Nick Saban returned to his old stomping grounds as ESPN's "College GameDay" went to Tuscaloosa ahead of Alabama's potential revenge matchup against Vanderbilt in Week 6. The analysts participated in the weekly "grab bag" segment answering various questions about the college football landscape.

When the subject of the SEC championship matchup came up, Pat McAfee tagged in Saban to complete his prediction. McAfee picked Alabama as one of the two teams heading to Atlanta for the SEC title fight.

"I like (Mike) Elko and the boys down there," McAfee said on Saturday pondering who to pick. "I like Ole Miss a lot. Lane Kiffin's got a lot of good vibes going right now. I mean, Oklahoma, depending upon (John) Mateer. They've got a really good team. ... Give me Alabama and... who's the next one?"

McAfee turned to Saban to predict the second team in the SEC title game. Saban was quick to respond with who the former coach believes Alabama would face in the SEC championship.

"Texas A&M," Saban added quickly.

Alabama, Texas are the SEC championship favorites in the college football odds

Alabama versus Texas A&M would offer a unique SEC championship game. For those looking to make a prediction based on the college football odds, Alabama is the favorite to win the SEC at +250 heading into Week 6, per FanDuel. Texas is next in line at +330 at second in the odds behind Bama.

Following the team's loss to the Crimson Tide, Georgia is a distant third at +650 followed by Ole Miss at +700. As for Texas A&M, the Aggies' most challenging upcoming tests include games against LSU and Texas.

Texas A&M is fifth in the odds to win the SEC at +900.

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Jonathan Adams
JONATHAN ADAMS

Jonathan Adams is a veteran sports writer who has written for notable outlets and interviewed some of the top athletes for more than 10 years. Since 2015, his sports coverage has been read by tens of millions and has been prominently featured on Heavy, NFL.com, Yahoo Sports, Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report and more. Jonathan is a member of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and a voter for the Maxwell Award and Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year. He has interviewed many of the biggest stars in sports — Bryce Harper, Jayden Daniels, Justin Jefferson, Bijan Robinson and Micah Parsons to name a few — and has traveled the country to cover the College Football Playoff, NFL draft, Masters, March Madness, Senior Bowl, McDonald’s All-American Game and beyond. Jonathan Adams studied at the University of Central Florida and The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology. He holds master degrees in sport business management, business administration and theology & culture.

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