In the 2021 national championship game, Nick Saban and his Alabama squad triumphed over Ryan Day’s Ohio State.

As the No. 8 Buckeyes (10-2) prepare for the 2024 College Football Playoff, Saban stepped up to defend Day, whose job is under scrutiny. Ohio State is set to face No. 9 Tennessee (10-2) on Saturday at Ohio Stadium, with aspirations for a significant playoff run.

Nonetheless, negativity has surrounded the Buckeyes’ supporters after a disappointing 13-10 defeat to their rivals, Michigan, in “The Game,” concluding the regular season. This loss barred Ohio State from participating in the Big Ten championship and prevented them from securing a first-round bye.

“They have an opportunity to win the national championship,” Saban shared on “GameDay.” “Everyone should be fully supporting them to maximize their chances and cut out the negativity.”

Saban recognized Day’s coaching accomplishments, highlighting his impressive 66-10 record with the Buckeyes, despite only managing a 1-4 record against Michigan.

“Every coach needs to establish their own style and I respect Ryan Day for his approach,” Saban noted. “For me, it was about enabling every player to reach their utmost potential rather than solely focusing on the results.”

“A significant part of this includes shielding players from outside pressures: negative comments and online criticism. I often reminded my players, ‘Why does it matter what some anonymous person on the internet says, especially someone who’s not living their best life?'”