The Big 12 conference is firing back at Nick Saban after the coach’s comments on the Pat McAfee Show.
The former coach joined ESPN on Wednesday to discuss the College Football Playoff. At one point, Saban floated a hypothetical by asking McAfee what Ole Miss’ record would be if they played in the Big 12. Of course, Saban was implying that the Rebels would have fewer than 3 losses if they didn’t play in the SEC.
In response, the Big 12 conference posted a graphic on social media showing 3 recent losses the Rebels have suffered against Big 12 teams.
“Undefeated in Hypothetical Games” the conference captioned the post.
Undefeated in Hypothetical Games https://t.co/kVbkzmDnd5 pic.twitter.com/4lznb1zpXe
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) November 27, 2024
The 3 examples used by the conference were all bowl games. Ole Miss lost to Texas Tech in the TaxAct Texas Bowl to end the 2022 season, to Baylor in the Allstate Sugar Bowl to end the 2021 season, and to TCU in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl to end the 2014 season.
Notably, the Rebels have a winning all-time record against TCU and Texas Tech. They also beat Oklahoma State in the Sugar Bowl to end the 2015 season and beat Texas Tech during the 2018 season.
With the expanded 12-team Playoff, much has been made about the strength of conferences. For instance, Kansas State is the highest-rated Big 12 team in ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI), sitting at No. 22. The SEC, meanwhile, has 9 teams ahead of Kansas State.
Saban’s point was that Ole Miss would not have the 3 losses it currently has if it played in a weaker conference. The Rebels suffered losses to Kentucky, LSU, and Florida, and now find themselves on the outside of the Playoff race.
The Big 12, however, is wide open, with more than half the league still technically alive to claim the conference championship.
Bryce Lazenby covers college football for Saturday Down South. A Nashville native, his previous stops include FanSided, Dimers, and The Leaf-Chronicle.
