Nick Saban might’ve hung up the headset, but his next chapter is already shaking the college football world to its core—Alabama just dropped a bomb, and now the whole sport’s watching his next move with bated breath.

Last week, reports surfaced that President Trump is eyeing a federal commission to look into college sports—and naturally, Nick Saban’s name is being floated as a potential co-chair. Nick Saban said he wasn’t sure a College Sports Commission was even necessary… now he’s having backroom meetings with billionaire Texas Tech booster Cody Campbell about potentially co-chairing it? Yeah, the same Cody Campbell is reportedly being lined up for the other top job on President Donald Trump’s proposed commission. You can’t make this stuff up.

After running the college football galaxy like Emperor Palpatine for the better part of 2 decades, Saban’s about to start legislating the sport he once dominated. But here’s the real kicker: all of this came just 24 hours before ‘EliteCollegeFootball’ dropped their “Best Brand in College Football” list for 2025—and at No. 1? Yep, you guessed it. Alabama.

That’s when the college football internet broke. Because, sure, if this were 2021? No argument. Alabama was fresh off a natty, Nick Saban was still king, and opposing fan bases were still curled up in the fetal position every Saturday. But in the NIL-transfer portal era? After four straight years without a title, a new head coach, and a four-loss season that included a historic loss to Vanderbilt? Roll Tide, y’all better roll back that ranking.

Let’s not twist it—Alabama’s last natty came in 2020. That team? Certified cheat code. Mac Jones, DeVonta Smith, Najee Harris—straight-up Avengers assembled in Tuscaloosa. They steamrolled Ohio State 52–24 in the natty. But since then? The Tide’s been… well, human.

2024 was supposed to be the reset button. Nick Saban officially hung it up, and Kalen DeBoer stepped in, fresh off a playoff run with Washington. The blueprint was there: experienced coach, loaded roster, elite recruits. Instead, it turned into Alabama’s worst season since 2010.

A 9–4 record. No Playoff. And the losses? Brutal. The Tide gave up 40 points to Vanderbilt. That hadn’t happened since Teddy Roosevelt was President. Then they bounced back with a 42–13 demolition of LSU, only to turn around and get clapped 24–3 by unranked Oklahoma. Jalen Milroe had his highs, but he was erratic. The O-line looked mid. And in their ReliaQuest Bowl matchup against Michigan? Down 16–0 in the first quarter. Game over. The final dagger? The Playoff committee picked SMU over Alabama. Yeah, Southern Methodist. Bama fans are still seeing red.

Now with Milroe off to the NFL, the QB room’s up for grabs between Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and five-star Keelon Russell. And let’s be real: nobody in Tuscaloosa is interested in patience.

Not everyone is buying Bama as the #1 brand in college football

When ‘EliteCollegeFootball’ anointed Alabama as the top brand in college football, the takes came fast and furious. Some called it blasphemous; others called it brand bias. But one thing was clear: the streets had opinions.

First up: “USC too high and honestly it’s OSU > Bama as of rn.” And he’s not lying. Ohio State literally won the natty last season, flexing a Playoff résumé that includes three appearances in five years. In 2024 alone, they saw a 550% spike in merch sales and were literally valued by the Wall Street Journal as the most valuable CFB program at $1.96 billion. That’s not just clout—that’s money talking. Bama hasn’t lifted a trophy since 2020.

Then came the Wolverines fan with “Michigan #1.” You could build a strong case. Michigan is 3–1 in its last four Playoff games and beat Alabama twice in the last calendar year or something like that: once in the Rose Bowl thriller and again in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Blake Corum sent Alabama packing in OT, and J.J. McCarthy was slicing that Tide defense up. Even historically, the all-time series is tied 3–3. And recently? It’s not looking nice, but legacy-wise, Bama still gets the dub here.

The delusional LSU fans were coming with the pitchforks: “How is LSU not #1?” This one’s a stretch, but not entirely unhinged. LSU hasn’t cracked consistent top-three status, but they’ve remained dangerous and relevant. They had Joe Burrow’s 2019 GOAT run, and even post-Burrow, they’ve kept a high recruiting floor. But brand-wise? Alabama still edges them out based on reach, championships, and media presence. LSU’s got bark; Bama still got bite.

The Buckeyes fans weren’t letting this slide, “YALL TROLLING OHIO STATE IS BETTER.” Say it louder for the folks in the back. From Playoff consistency to Heisman-level QBs to national exposure, Ohio State’s been the face of stability while Bama’s been dealing with identity crises. This isn’t 2017 anymore. That scarlet and gray is carrying the Big Ten and the Nike merch game.

And finally, “Longhorns gotta be #1. See that burnt orange everywhere in Texas.” The Texas brand is real. Quinn Ewers got them back to national relevance, and the move to the SEC just amplified their reach. Texas has boosters for days, a massive alumni base, and a recruiting pipeline bigger than Buc-ee’s. But natty appearances? Not quite there yet. They’re knocking—but the door’s still closed.

Here’s the thing. Brand isn’t just about the past year—it’s about influence, tradition, visibility, and yes, wins. And no matter how rough 2024 was, Alabama is still Alabama. That crimson script A still gets clicks, headlines, and five-star commits. You don’t erase two decades of dominance with one rocky year. But let’s be real: the gap has closed. Ohio State’s got receipts. Michigan’s got momentum. Texas is buying billboards. The NIL era leveled the field, and Alabama’s no longer the Thanos of the sport.

Nick Saban moving from sideline general to political powerhouse might shift the power dynamic off the field—but on the field? DeBoer’s got work to do. So yeah, Alabama as the No. 1 brand? Debatable. Diabolical? Nah. But safe? Not anymore. The rest of college football isn’t scared of the Tide like they used to be.