Nick Saban picks up $160,000 bonus for win over Georgia in SEC title game

Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide pulled off something nobody has done in the past three seasons of college football–take down the Georgia Bulldogs. The Tide got a dynamic performance from quarterback Jalen Milroe, and some stellar play from their defense in their 27-24 win in the 2023 SEC Championship Game. Since Alabama became the SEC Champions yet again, Nick Saban picked up another bonus, bringing home at least $160,000, per Steve Berkowitz.

He gets $50k for the SEC crown and $110k for at least a New Year’s Six Bowl. Saban will bring home $200,000 more if the Tide are selected for the College Football Semifinals. So far this season, the legendary college football coach has brought home $325,000 in bonuses.

The College Football Playoff Selection Show is on Sunday at noon EST. The four-team field will be announced then.

The CFP Committee will have an extremely difficult task

If you were looking for potential chaos in the College Football Playoff, Alabama might have done it. Taking down Georgia in the SEC Championship could force some tough decisions in Grapevine, TX. There is now a scenario where nobody from the SEC plays for a national championship but it’s going to be a tough decision for the committee.

As the confetti rained down in Atlanta, Alabama head coach Nick Saban was asked his thoughts on potentially making the CFP. He admitted enjoying the win was his first priority but went on to say it’s out of their hands. Saban knows the decision will come down to the committee.

“That’s not really for me to say,” Saban said during his on-field, postgame interview with CBS’ Jenny Dell. “I’m going to enjoy this win and we’ll figure it out tomorrow. But we did our part. We did what he had to do to have a chance.”

Moments after the SEC Championship game finished, there seems to only be one surefire way Alabama is safely in the top four. All televisions have been switched from CBS to ABC, where Florida State is playing in the ACC Championship. A loss to Louisville would almost ensure Sunday is a positive day in Tuscaloosa.

If not, Saban will likely have some more campaigning to do for his team. Florida State would be a Power Five conference championship, something the committee has never left out. Brock Glenn, the third-string, will be starting in Charlotte and how the Seminoles look on offense could play a factor.

Nick Saban believes Alabama has done their part in CFP journey

In the history of the College Football Playoff, the SEC champion has never been left out. Usually, they occupy the No. 1 spot on Selection Sunday after taking down another top-five team. The conference has dominated the sport for over two decades now.

And in a vacuum, Alabama’s resume would be a no-doubt playoff team. 12-1 record with an SEC Championship and four ranked wins. Not too many people can argue against it but the one in the loss column is going to wind up being the problem.

Texas could wind up blocking Alabama from making the field, with Sept. 9 in Tuscaloosa being more important than we originally thought.

Decisions still need to be made in Grapevine, TX, but if you ask Saban, his team has done enough to remain alive.

On3’s Griffin McVeigh also contributed to this article.