Nick Saban never lost to Vanderbilt during his legendary tenure as head football coach at Alabama. The Commodores then proceeded to beat the Crimson Tide in their first game without him on the sidelines.
They also trolled the greatest coach of all-time on the field as fans tore down the goalposts.
However, Saban wants to be very clear that he was not and is not wrong! His comments about the environment in Nashville are still true even though Kalen DeBoer blew it.
Over four matchups against Alabama in the Nick Saban era from 2007 to 2023, Vanderbilt only managed to score a total of 13 points. The Commodores lost 55–3, 59–0, 34–0 and 24–10. It wasn’t even close.
Saban took a not-so-subtle shot at Vandy on The Pat McAfee Show back in Week 4.
The only place you’re going to play in the SEC that’s not hard to play… Vanderbilt. When you play at Vanderbilt, you have more fans there than they have, and that’s no disrespect to them, it’s the truth.
— Nick Saban
That clip went extremely viral on Saturday.
The Commodores played the video of Saban on their scoreboard while fans stormed onto the field. Clark Lea addressed the comments in postgame. Koe Wetzel used the clip to open his show in Nashville earlier this week.
Koe Wetzel’s concert in Nashville had a little @VandyFootball flavor tonight: pic.twitter.com/DeSi2KcjPS
— Billy Derrick (@billyderrick10) October 7, 2024
Even Cook Out got in on the trolling.
Hello from Nashville pic.twitter.com/3c6w48A50Y
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) October 10, 2024
Despite the loss, Saban stands by what he said. He pointed to the atmosphere at FirstBank Stadium this past weekend as proof. There was a lot of crimson in the crowd. Especially on the far side.
A look at the crowd for Alabama vs. Vanderbilt in Nashville. pic.twitter.com/d42cEdh7AW
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) October 5, 2024
This is pretty standard for fan affiliation at Vanderbilt over the last few decades, outside of a few big games during the James Franklin era. The split is typically equal or in favor of the visitors. Usually the latter.
Saban still does not see anything untrue about what he said two weeks ago!
You haven't heard about this Coach..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 11, 2024
Vanderbilt ran a video of you saying that Vanderbilt is an easy place to play 😂😂
"Oh yeah I saw this..
If you look at the stadium half of it was Alabama"
😂😂 Nick Saban #PMSLive https://t.co/DBy9Aspjl1 pic.twitter.com/AkEP89ZfsjNeed anything more be said?
Nick Saban didn’t lose. Kalen DeBoer lost. That’s not on him, that’s on his successor.
The words he said earlier this year are true despite the final score.