Ohio State is preparing for a College Football Playoff quarterfinal showdown with top-seeded Oregon in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.
However, many Buckeyes fans are not looking ahead, but still remember their team’s 13-10 loss to Michigan (7-5). Despite having a chance to win a national championship, a sizable contingent of Ohio State fans resent head coach Ryan Day for losing four straight games to the Wolverines.
In Nick Saban’s opinion, those fans probably need therapy.
“These Ohio State fans, you know, have a psychotic obsession with Michigan and they need to go to therapy or something to try to fix it,” Saban said during a Friday appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show“.
“Because they have a chance to win the national championship and here you are,” he added, “and no one is excited about their opportunity to play because they lost to Michigan, which was a tough game and they probably lost it by some margin.” of the mistakes they made. Those are things that can be corrected.”
As Saban said, the No. 8-seeded Buckeyes looked like a national title contender by soundly defeating Tennessee, 42-17.
“I think this is probably the most talented team if they play at the level and level. Offense and defense, they practically have it all,” he added.
Saban also criticized the negativity of the Ohio State fan base ahead of the CFP first-round matchup against Tennessee last Saturday.
Nick Saban weighs in on Ohio State:
“They have a chance to win the National Championship. Everyone should really support them so they have the best chance to do it and stop all this negative shit.” pic.twitter.com/Nfa4FIWay4
– Horrible advertisement (@awfulannunciando) December 20, 2024
“If Ohio State wants to beat Michigan, they have to be positive with their coach and their players,” he said on “ESPN College GameDay.” “They have a chance to win the national championship. Everyone should be really rooting for them so they have the best chance to do it and stop all this negative shit.”
Saban’s comments came after fellow ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit upset Ohio State fans (and some of his network colleagues). shouted the “lunatic fringe” who wanted head coach Ryan Day fired.
The Buckeyes defeating the Volunteers appears to have alleviated some of the outrage toward Day and the players. However, the temperature is likely to rise again with a loss to Oregon, especially if it is decisive. Ohio State lost a Week 7 matchup with the Ducks in Eugene, 32-31, when time ran out on its final drive.
The Rose Bowl matchup between Ohio State and Oregon begins at 5 p.m. ET on January 1. The winner will face the winner of the Texas-Arizona State quarterfinals on January 10.