Nick Saban laughs off the idea that Texas will run the SEC; ‘They can forget all about that’
SEC Media Days are underway, and—as always—a surplus of quotable personalities have descended upon the event (now held in Dallas). One of those personalities has been a presence at the event for quite some time, but now he’s taking on a bit of a different role.
College football will look far different this year without Nick Saban patrolling the sidelines in Tuscaloosa, but he will still be in and around the sport to a high degree, no doubt. Instead of taking the podium, answering questions from reporters, and talking about his latest edition of the Tide, he is now behind the SEC Network desk.
One of the biggest topics of conversation during this year’s Media Days has to be the incoming twosome of Texas and Oklahoma. With the Longhorns fresh off of a College Football Playoff appearance, there’s quite the buzz about Sark’s squad down in Austin, with many labeling them the second-best team in the conference.
This recent spate of winning has inflated the egos of Texas fans somewhat. It is not uncommon to run across Longhorn fans claiming that they will soon “own the SEC” or “run the conference.” Nick Saban, for one, finds that humorous.
Nick Saban on Texas:
— On3 (@On3sports) July 15, 2024
“What kind of tickles me is all these people asking questions about how Texas always ran the conference they were in. They’re not gonna run the SEC.”
(via @SECNetwork, @PCGreenfield) https://t.co/pe6IbOAzlH pic.twitter.com/BISjA7kFlh
“There’s a whole lot of arrogant people in a lot of places in the SEC, so they can forget all about that,” he continued.
He ended up praising Sark, his former assistant, as well, but not without getting another jab in: “They’ll be a great team and Sark will do a great job, but that’s not going to be a problem.”
Strong words from a man who knows a thing or two about the conference. Is this just sour grapes after Texas housed Alabama in Tuscaloosa last year? I’m sure that’s what Longhorn fans will say. But that’s kind of the point: that was one of several huge games that Alabama had on their schedule last year; Texas, on the other hand, could spend all summer getting ready for the Tide. That’s likely why they were down at the half to Wyoming the very next week!