Nick Saban uses Caleb Downs’ words to clap back at Desmond Howard’s “Big Ten runs college football” take

Nick Saban didn't seem to like what his fellow "College GameDay" analyst Desmond Howard said on Friday about college football being run through the Big Ten. This Saturday's show was in Atlanta to cover the Southeastern Conference Championship game between No. 3 Georgia and No. 9 Alabama. Although ESPN is heavily focused on the SEC Championship, there was a moment during the show where Howard raved about the Big Ten.

“The Big Ten Championship is one to keep an eye on. I know we’re here for the SEC Championship Game, but listen, you got to understand the national championship is going through the Big Ten,” Howard said. “The Big Ten runs college football right now. You’ve got the Oregon Ducks, you’ve got the Indiana Hoosiers, and I know none of y’all want to see the Ohio State Buckeyes.”

Nick Saban didn't take long to respond to Howard, referencing one of his former Alabama players, Caleb Downs, who is currently playing for Ohio State.

“You obviously didn’t see Caleb Downs explaining the difference between playing in the SEC and the Big Ten,” Saban said. “Obviously.”

Earlier in the week, Downs said his experience of playing in the SEC with Alabama was more competitive than playing in the Big Ten with Ohio State.

Nick Saban offers support for Lane Kiffin after HC leaves Ole Miss for LSU

Former Alabama HC Nick Saban - Source: Getty

During Saturday's "GemDay" show, Nick Saban appeared to defend Lane Kiffin from criticism after his move to LSU.

“Well, I think I get a lot of calls because some people view me maybe as a senior professional that has a lot of experience in the game, after 50 years, 25 years of the head coach," Saban said. "So as a person, as a human being, you want to help everybody you can. You know, I’m kind of in this for the betterment of the game, really, for the players and coaches ... So anyone who calls me, whether it’s a player, a coach, an administrator, I try to do the best I can, to give them the best information to make the best decisions for the betterment of the game.”

“The first thing I ask a coach, if he’s talking about contemplating changing jobs, is, what do you want to do? And I want them to follow their heart in terms of what they want to accomplish and what they want to do. I never tell anybody what they should do. I just try to bring some thought into it so that they can make good decisions for themselves and their family and their future.”

Kiffin left Ole Miss to join LSU. He led the Rebels to their first-ever 11-win season, which helped the team qualify for its maiden College Football Playoff berth.

The Rebels announced that Kiffin won't be allowed to coach Ole Miss in its first playoff appearance since he already took the LSU job.