Nick Saban spent two years coaching defensive backs at Ohio State, in 1980-81, but his affinity for his former employer and the fans there only goes so far.
Last year, Saban chided Buckeye fans for their obsession over their ‘psychotic obsession’ with Michigan as OSU was on its national championship run. Well, with The Game on the precipice, he hasn’t changed his tune.
Appearing on the Pat McAfee show on Wednesday, Saban reiterated his statement and further said that the self-proclaimed ‘Buckeye Nation’ needs professional help.
“I said it last year: these Ohio State fans, they’re psychotic about this, man,” Saban said. “They all need to go to see the doctor someplace. I’d rather win the national championship than beat Michigan. That’s just me, all right? Although I’d love to beat Michigan, don’t get me wrong.”
The former Alabama head coach, now at ESPN, shared in his experience in the rivalry how a more talented team can lose — as was the case for Michigan when he was facing the Wolverines while a coach in Columbus. It’s not just about expectations or talent, it’s about who plays the better game and who is more capable that given Saturday.
“When I was at Ohio State the last year, we beat them up there, similar situation. Except in reverse, they were ranked really high, we had already lost two games. And we had a terrible negative week of practice, but Woody came and talked to the team and said, ‘This is an opportunity for a great win.’ And that was the difference in the mindset of how we played. And they played tight, and we played loose, and we played (expletive deleted) over tea kettle and won the game 14-9. I remember that game from 1981 as much as any.”
Michigan has played more loosely the past four years, and it wouldn’t be a surprise, given the talk coming out of Columbus, if the Wolverines continued that trend. We’ll see what happens on Saturday.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Nick Saban rips Ohio State fans for Michigan obsession, again
Reporting by Isaiah Hole, Wolverines Wire / Wolverines Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
