BREAKING: Nick Saban blasts Ohio State fans with with harsh message over ‘psychotic obsession’ to Michigan
Nick Saban criticized Ohio State football fans for their reaction to the team’s rivalry loss to Michigan during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. Saban pointed out the intense focus Ohio State fans place on “The Game,” calling their obsession with Michigan “psychotic” and suggesting they might need therapy to move past it. He expressed frustration over the lack of excitement among fans, despite Ohio State preparing for a Rose Bowl showdown against top-ranked Oregon, with a national championship potentially on the line.
Saban emphasized that Ohio State has one of the most talented teams in the nation, capable of excelling on both offense and defense if they play up to their potential. However, he noted that for many fans, the sting of the November 30 loss to Michigan overshadows everything else. He added that unless Ohio State wins the title on January 20, the disappointment from the rivalry defeat will linger—and for some, even a championship won’t fully redeem head coach Ryan Day unless he defeats Michigan next year.
The legacy of this Ohio State team will be decided in the next few weeks
Nick Saban is absolutely correct that Ohio State fans should focus on the Buckeyes’ upcoming clash with No. 1 Oregon in the Rose Bowl. If Ohio State wins its first national championship since 2014, Ryan Day’s tenure should be viewed as a success. However, the introduction of the twelve-team College Football Playoff has made the road to a title more grueling than ever. Despite their dominant win over No. 7 Tennessee, the Buckeyes still face a daunting path.
To claim the championship, Ohio State must defeat Oregon, likely face No. 3 Texas in the semifinals, and then possibly square off against No. 2 Georgia in the final. Any coach who can lead their team through such a challenging slate deserves immense credit. But if Ohio State falls short, the sting of their recent loss to Michigan will continue to haunt the program.
This year’s rivalry defeat feels particularly painful for Buckeyes fans because of the program’s dominance over Michigan in the 21st century, with a 17-7 record in “The Game” since 2000. However, four of those losses have come under Ryan Day, and Ohio State is now on a four-game losing streak to Michigan. The latest loss—a shocking upset by the unranked Wolverines over the No. 2 Buckeyes—only deepened concerns about Ohio State’s struggles in this matchup.
Ultimately, Saban’s perspective rings true: Ohio State still has its biggest opportunity ahead. Yet, for Ryan Day and his team, the pressure of this College Football Playoff feels magnified. It’s an unfortunate reality, given Day’s impressive overall performance as head coach in Columbus.