Former Alabama football coach Nick Saban has been high on the Ohio State Buckeyes since the College Football Playoff began.

Saban, who blasted some Ohio State fans for their fury over the team’s 13-10 loss to hated rival Michigan on Nov. 30, has arguably been the Buckeyes’ biggest supporter from the standpoint of respected media voices during his various appearances on ESPN’s “College GameDay” and other platforms (Pat McAfee’s show).

The college football legend has consistently touted the job of Ohio State coach Ryan Day, as well as the play of Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard, freshman sensation wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, and his former safety Caleb Downs, who spent his freshman season at Alabama before transferring to Columbus.

So it’s no surprise who Saban picked to win Friday’s CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl. From his seat on “College GameDay” set, which broadcast live from inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Saban picked the Buckeyes to beat the Texas Longhorns and advance to the national championship game on Jan. 20 in Atlanta.

The winner of tonight’s game will meet Notre Dame, who defeated Penn State 27-24 in the Orange Bowl on Thursday to advance to their first national championship game since the 2012 season.

When picking the Buckeyes, Saban said:

“To me, the most physical team is going to win and whichever quarterback plays the best and takes care of the ball. Ohio State has shown that in these playoffs so far, so I’m going with Ohio State.”

Earlier in the broadcast, Saban offered plenty of praise for Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, who won a national championship as Alabama’s offensive coordinator on Saban’s 2020 staff.

“Sark is a great play-caller and a great planner. He’s a great teacher and he’s got a really good system that’s hard to defend, so Ohio State’s going to have their hands full. I think the key is, can Sark create balance by being able to control the line of scrimmage and run a little bit?”

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Ohio State got to the Cotton Bowl by whipping the No. 1-ranked Oregon Ducks, 41-21, at the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day. Texas survived Arizona State 39-31 in double overtime at the Peach Bowl.

The Cotton Bowl can be seen on ESPN.

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