Paul Finebaum hints at how CFP loss to Michigan might have altered Nick Saban's future

Coming into the Rose Bowl, there were at least whispers that this could have been the final run for Nick Saban. Instead, with Alabama’s loss to Michigan in Pasadena, Paul Finebaum believes that outcome could go on hold for just a bit longer.

Finebaum spoke about Saban’s future during a segment on ‘Get Up’ on Tuesday after the 27-20 overtime loss for the Tide to the Wolverines. He agreed that had last night ended up in a victory, as well as potentially next week in the national championship, then this playoff would have set up as a swan song for Saban, especially with how this season played out for this team.

“It’s complicated. There were a lot of people who felt that if Saban put another title down? That would be his eighth, seventh at Alabama. Then that would be the ultimate time to walk away,” said Finebaum. “But no one can really get inside of Nick Saban’s head.

“There were a lot of signs all year long that pointed toward it,” Finebaum continued. “Even last night, he talked about how special this team was, how it really was probably the most special experience that he has ever had. I think we all saw it last night that this team had so many flaws.”

However, with the defeat to Michigan in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff, Finebaum isn’t so sure of that anymore. He thinks the loss, to Jim Harbaugh no less, might hold that thought and bring Saban back for another season.

“Last night changes that, perhaps,” Finebaum said. “It’s hard to imagine Nick Saban walking away after losing a game to Jim Harbaugh and Michigan in the semifinals.”

Saban has accomplished all that a coach can and put up a resume that almost none can compete with. With seven national titles, he is an all-timer in college football and can retire whenever he well pleases as the best to ever do it.

That’s why, if Saban were to hold off the end, it would his choice. That said, going out on a defeat, especially one in that fashion to Harbaugh and the Wolverines, likely isn’t how Saban envisioned ending his career.

All eyes will look to Tuscaloosa over the ensuing weeks as we wait for more regarding Saban’s plans for next season and beyond. Still, to Finebaum, he’d expect to see him back on the sidelines next season now because of how the Rose Bowl played out for Alabama in the end.