Earlier in the week, AL.com reported that ex-Maryland head coach D.J. Durkin had been hired by Alabama coach Nick Saban for a consulting role.

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Likely coming in the following months, Maryland sportsbooks are almost here. You heard it right. Maryland is joining many of the other Big Ten states with live and legal online sports betting.

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This of course puzzled many college football observers, considering Maryland fired Durkin in October following an investigation into the Terrapins’ program after the death of a player. Needless to say, the move received a lot of negative feedback; even ESPN’s Paul Finebaum called the move “embarrassing.” It wasn’t a good look for the Crimson Tide, who are preparing for their fifth straight College Football Playoff.

On Friday evening, Saban addressed the controversial topic and clarified the situation:

No. 1 Alabama will face No. 4 Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl – CFP semifinal on Dec. 29 at 8 p.m. EST.