Florida State is currently struggling to secure a win, but they seem to be experts in losing… and at a cost. Before the game started on Saturday, Nick Saban predicted success for Memphis on ESPN’s College Gameday, suggesting that Florida State could have saved a significant amount of money had they sought advice from the former Alabama coach.
After losing to Memphis, the Seminoles fell to 0-3. This defeat was a heavy blow for the university for various reasons. Major college programs have been financially incentivizing weaker teams to play in their home stadiums for years, a trend that gains attention especially after the occurrence of unexpected non-conference losses.
Florida State offered Memphis $1.3 million to play at Doak Campbell Stadium, and the AAC team responded with a shocking 20-12 victory. The Tigers effectively kept the Seminoles from scoring in the first three quarters, reducing them to single digits.
Great job picking THE University of Memphis, Coach Saban ??
Also, shoutout to @PatMcAfeeShow & @dawnstaley for picking @MemphisFB!
?”? ESPN#GoTigersGo pic.twitter.com/2snmgy3500
— University of Memphis (@uofmemphis) September 14, 2024
Saban was not only the first to choose Memphis on College Gameday, but Pat McAfee and guest Dawn Staley also made the same selection. This adds to Saban’s track record of backing Memphis when few others do.
“I’ll avoid calling it Memphis State, as I tend to get called out for that. It’s the University of Memphis,” Saban said, referring to his last slip-up regarding the school’s name. “Florida State hasn’t had a strong showing this year. Although they are coming off a bye, which can be both beneficial and detrimental, I’m picking the University of Memphis.”
This is not the first time Saban has endorsed the mid-major team. In August, he referred to Memphis as a potential playoff sleeper, stating, “I think Memphis State has a chance to move in there.”
Currently, Saban’s prediction is looking promising. Memphis stands at a 3-0 record, including a key victory and two other matches scoring 40 and 38 points respectively.
This week, Memphis garnered 38 votes in the AP Top 25 poll, making them one of the leading teams receiving votes. It wouldn’t be surprising if they secure a spot in the rankings due to this win, enhancing the credibility of Saban’s early prediction.
On the other hand, Florida State is facing its third consecutive loss to start the season. They haven’t managed to score more than 21 points in any game and have even been limited to 13 points or less in two of their matches. However, Florida State isn’t alone in experiencing costly setbacks; Notre Dame’s recent defeat against Northern Illinois carried a $1.4 million price tag as well.
