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Alabama fans erupt in Nick Saban chants at start of ESPN College GameDay

Stephen Samraby:Steve Samra•09/28/24•

SamraSource

College GameDay, Nick Saban
© Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

With ESPN College GameDay in town ahead of Georgia–Alabama, Crimson Tide fans in Tuscaloosa gave Nick Saban a warm welcome at the start of the broadcast.

The beloved coach returned to campus, and he’s ready to see if Kalen DeBoer can continue what he started against the Bulldogs, as Saban has been the one thorn in Georgia’s side since Kirby Smart took over the program. Check out the video below, where Crimson Tide faithful greet Saban by chanting his name.

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As you can tell, the welcome meant a ton to Saban, and it was rightfully deserved. After all the coach did for Tuscaloosa and the program as a whole, it’s easy to see why the entire crowd will be cheering for him throughout the morning.

Now, will that change when the pick segment airs? It would certainly be a shock if Saban decides to pick the Bulldogs, but if he does, the Crimson Tide faithful might be chanting something else at their former head coach.

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Regardless, the rubber will meet the road when Alabama and Georgia square off at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will air live on ABC, and Nick Saban and the rest of the college football world will be watching with a close eye to see who comes out on top.

Kirk Herbstreit evaluates Kalen DeBoer’s chance to step out of Nick Saban shadow vs. Georgia

Moreover, Kalen DeBoer has been Alabama‘s head coach since January. However, on Saturday, he has a chance to make a statement to any fans still reminiscing about the Nick Saban era.

On Friday, ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit explained how important Alabama’s showdown against Georgia is for DeBoer’s public perception.

“It’s big for Alabama. I don’t know if it’s huge for Kirby [Smart], but I think it’s obviously big for those players around these teams the last few years,” Herbstreit said during an appearance on SportsCenter.

“They look up there and Nick Saban is not the guy — not that it’s bad. It’s just different. It’s different, and it’s an opportunity for Kalen DeBoer to go like this (Herbstreit slapped his hand on the table) — ‘I’m the head coach at Alabama.’”

DeBoer has looked the part through three games with the Crimson Tide. Alabama is 3-0 with an average win margin of 40.3 points per game. Most recently, the Crimson Tide rolled over Wisconsin in a dominant 42-10 effort.

Now, Georgia will present DeBoer with his greatest challenge yet at the helm of Alabama’s program. The 49-year-old head coach has massive shoes to fill. Alabama has won eight of its last nine meetings with Georgia, last defeating the Bulldogs in the 2023 SEC Championship.

On3’s Grant Grubbs contributed to this article.