Popular CFB analyst drops his prediction for Alabama vs Michigan Rose Bowl showdown as Nick Saban eyes National championship in 2024

No. 1 Michigan Wolverines will clash with the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide in the upcoming Rose Bowl at the turn of the New Year. Amid scrutiny over alleged sign-stealing, Michigan cruised into the College Football Playoff with a flawless 13-0 record.

In contrast, Nick Saban and Alabama navigated a rocky road to qualify for the CFP. They had a win against Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs in the SEC Championship game and needed some help from the CFP committee who picked the Crimson Tide over an undefeated Florida State Seminoles.

The winner of the Rose Bowl advances to the National Championship game, which only adds to the stakes.

Saban, who is eyeing yet another shot at the national championship, has got a well-wisher in the form of college football analyst Josh Pate, host of ‘The Late Kick’ podcast.

He boldly backed the Tide, saying:

“Our model has Bama -1.5. Truthfully, I had a good feeling where I was going with this at the SEC Championship Game. I felt like either one of those teams if given three weeks to get healthy, they were going to be the team that I picked in this matchup.”

Pate further emphasized:

"Statistically, the more likely path to me is that Alabama wins this, and of course Alabama covers in the process."

The Rose Bowl will be played on Jan. 2, 2024.

---

Blain Crain discusses Nick Saban's potential retirement timeline

Saban has had unparalleled success in the college football landscape, but speculation is rife that he could walk away at the end of the season. Blain Crain recently discussed the factors that might lead to Saban's retirement. He suggested that Saban is "mentally cognitively" as sound as ever, meaning he could continue coaching for the foreseeable future.

"I think Nick Saban is mentally cognitively is as good as he ever is. That's when I think Saban will step away mentally when it when it starts getting too much for him to be a head coach."