Nick Saban now a ‘believer’ in Penn State football for College Football Playoff run

The wind is at the backs of Penn State football as the Nittany Lions prepare to head south for their College Football Playoff Semifinal matchup at the Orange Bowl. Off a pair of decisive playoff victories over the last two weeks, momentum appears to be on the Nittany Lions’ side as James Franklin has the program eight quarters away from its first National Championship in nearly 40 years.

Now, Penn State can count Nick Saban among its believers following Tuesday night’s Fiesta Bowl win over Boise State. Speaking on the Pat McAfee Show on Thursday morning, the legendary Alabama head coach and College Football GameDay personality had high praise for the Nittany Lions on both sides of the ball.

“These guys have been able to run the ball very effectively in the last few games, very impressively. And then, to have a quarterback that can play behind the running game like that with play-action passes and staying out of long-yardage situations, I think they’re for real,” Saban said. “And then their defense is playing really well, too.

“So if you just go on how well teams are playing right now, you know Penn State and Ohio State are probably playing the best. That doesn’t mean they’re necessarily going to win or that Penn State is going to win. But I do think they’re playing extremely well. Their quarterback is playing well. They can run the ball well.”

"Penn State has been able to run the ball effectively and Drew Allar is playing really well..

I wasn't a believer in Penn State early on but I'm a believer right now" ~ Coach Saban #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/bl7ax6jwi2

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 2, 2025

Dating back to the second half of the Big Ten Championship against Oregon, Penn State football is outscoring its opponents 82-38 over the last 10 quarters of play. And while there may be some national criticism for the level of competition faced in the first two rounds of the playoff, Saban says he’s seen enough from the Nittany Lions on their own.

“But I think Penn State is playing well on both sides of the ball, and I think they’re a very good team,” he continued. “I’m a believer. I was not a believer in Penn State early on. I’m a believer right now.”

Penn State football will face Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl next Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

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