LSU earned three of four predictions on Saturday morning’s “College GameDay” broadcast ahead of its marquee SEC showdown against Alabama.
But the lone selection of the Crimson Tide was arguably the most notable — at least so far as pregame picks can be — and drew some strong surprise from up and down the rest of the popular ESPN show’s panel.
“This is one of the most unusual home deals that you’ve ever seen,” said legendary coach Nick Saban, who led both programs to national championships. “LSU beats Alabama more when Alabama’s at home, and Alabama beats LSU more when they’re playing at LSU, which is a tough place to play. But I think if Bama gets it right, I’m all-in for Alabama for this one.”
The comments were met with swift, “Reeaally!?” and “No way!” reactions — with a mix of tones that may have included some sarcasm — from fellow analysts Pat McAfee, the former West Virginia and NFL punter, and Kirk Herbstreit, the former Ohio State quarterback, and company.
Saban spent more of his career in Tuscaloosa, Ala., where his six national championships helped cement his Hall-of-Fame legacy, but has in retirement been consistently reminiscent of his stint in Baton Rouge and particularly this year praising of the Tigers.
New LSU coach Lane Kiffin referenced this past winter that perspective he received from Saban, under whom he worked at Alabama, carried significant weight as he decided to leave Ole Miss for the new opportunity.
McAfee, former Heisman winner and Super Bowl champion Desmond Howard and actor Jason Sudeikis, the week’s celebrity guest-picker, each said they foresee the Tigers winning.
Herbstreit refrained from a pick as he prepared to fly to Baton Rouge to provide color commentary on the game’s broadcast.
“Man, this is a tough one to pick,” Howard led off the segment. “I think I’m gonna go with LSU simply because they’re home, (quarterback) Sam Leavitt‘s playing at a very high level right now and not turning the ball over and he has (tight end) Trey’Dez Green back. So I’m gonna go with the Bayou Bengals.”
McAfee took the Tigers, citing his impression seeing them live in their season opener against Clemson and the improved play of Leavitt since then
“They still have a path to get in (to the College Football Playoffs),” McAfee said. “They know they have to win this at home.”
Sudeikis, who made the bulk of his game predictions based on random associations, also predicted an LSU win as a nod to his favorite basketball player “Pistol” Pete Maravich, who starred in purple and gold in the late 1960s and into 1970.
The Tigers and Crimson Tide are slated for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff to the pivotal matchup that will be the final annual meeting in the longtime rivalry series before the foes shift to a less-consistent frequency of play in the expanded SEC landscape.
