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Nick Saban’s coaching tree dominates top 4 on initial CFP Rankings
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
The initial College Football Playoff rankings are out and Nick Saban’s coaching tree is well-represented. Georgia, Alabama, Michigan State, and Oregon make up the first top-4 edition of the season.
All top-four teams in the #CFBPlayoff rankings are either coached by Nick Saban or a former assistant of his 😳 pic.twitter.com/hmEpe0WMXh
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 3, 2021
Michigan State coach Mel Tucker was an assistant for Saban at LSU in 2000 and at Alabama in 2015. Georgia coach Kirby Smart spent time with Saban at LSU and Miami but is most notably known for his time as Alabama’s defensive coordinator from 2008-2015. Cristobal served under Saban at Alabama from 2013-16.
Michigan State is 8-0 and in first place in the B1G East. Michigan State most recently edged in-state rival Michigan 37-33 on Oct. 30. Next up for Michigan State is a road matchup at Purdue on Nov. 6 (3:30 p.m. EST/ABC). Purdue defeated then-No. 2 Iowa on Oct. 17.
Michigan State leads the all-time series 36-28-3 and is on an eight-game winning streak vs. Purdue.
Rolando Rosa brings his experience covering college football to Saturday Tradition. Follow him on Twitter @RolandoRosa3.