Nick Saban didn’t make any new friends in Knoxville, Tenn. this morning.
The former Alabama coach casually dropped his 16-1 all-time record against the Tennessee Volunteers during a segment on ESPN College GameDay. The reaction was, well, what you would expect.
“I’m all in on the University of Tennessee,” said Saban, “because we smoked 16 of 17 cigars when we played you all,” leading the sea of Vols fans around the GameDay set to start a very loud and clear “F* Nick Saban” chant on live TV. Ouch.
That’s so rude Coach Saban 😂😂#CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/JMEnZOh5ZR
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 26, 2026
“Oh, geez,” said ESPN’s Pat McAfee when he finally heard the profanity. “They were saying ‘Truck Nick Saban. They were saying ‘Truck Arch Manning‘ earlier and ‘Truck Lane Kiffin.’ “
“You can’t take a joke,” smiled Saban, whose only loss to Tennessee came in 2022 when the Vols made a last-second field to win 52-49 at Neyland Stadium in an absolute classic.
Tennessee beats Alabama and the UT fans storm the field! @rockytopinsider pic.twitter.com/RELv4VPyLd
— Ric Butler (@Ric_Butler) October 16, 2022
Still, Saban had some more fun with the Tennessee contingent as he appeared to be singing Rocky Top with McAfee filming. Avert your eyes now, Tide fans!
Nick Saban singing Rocky Top?? 😂🍊 pic.twitter.com/wUtXDqnuiA
— Sport & State (@SportNState) September 26, 2026
Throwin’ Is Easy, Too
As Vols coach Josh Heupel spoke with the GameDay crew this morning, McAfee challenged the former college quarterback to a $100,000 crossbar throw for charity.
Challenge accepted, he said.
Heupel’s casual 25-yard toss hit the crossbar dead-center, with the sixth-year coach effectively saying ‘talk to you later’ as he removed his headset. That’s quite a walkoff statement.
Tennessee Coach Josh Heupel nails the crossbar for a charitable donation on College GameDay… on his FIRST try. pic.twitter.com/5W1qJnk23R
— Sport & State (@SportNState) September 26, 2026
It might be a good omen for Rocky Top as Tennessee hosts top-ranked Texas today in the Battle of the UTs.
Speaking of a sign of things to come, student Colby Lamb, who was selected to participate in McAfee’s Kickin’ Is Easy’ contest, nailed his second attempt for $1.5 million, with $500,000 heading to the Pat Summitt Foundation.
Peyton Manning secured the second $1.5M kick attempt and this kid NAILED IT 🚀@PatMcAfeeShow pic.twitter.com/Zgx3FkRzJB
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) September 26, 2026
“You’ll never pay for another Bud Light your entire time, and every Tri Delt’s going to want your phone number,” said Vol legend to Peyton Manning to Lamb.
Now, he just needs to figure out how to spend McAfee’s money. I might have a few suggestions.
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