Nick Saban Talks Raising Flags on 'College GameDay' After 'The Game'

Flag display led to fisticuffs last week during rivalry week in Week 14 of the college football season, including in “The Game,” and has been a point of discussion ever since.

The day began with Michigan football pulling off the biggest upset in its rivalry with Ohio State, a 13-10 victory over the then No. 1, second-ranked team in the country. After the Wolverines’ victory, the team raised its flag at midfield at Ohio Stadium, which led to a brawl.

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The topic was further discussed during ESPN’s “College GameDay” ahead of Saturday’s SEC championship game between Georgia and Texas, with former Alabama coach Nick Saban offering his strong opinions on flag flying.

“First of all, I think we need guidelines,” Saban said of teams putting up flags. “Fining these schools $100,000 is like worrying about mouse dung when you’re up to your ears in elephant shit.”

The Big Ten Conference fined Michigan and Ohio State $100,000 for violating the Big Ten Sportsmanship Policy.

NC State copied the action after its win over in-state rival UNC and then Florida after it defeated Florida State for the first time in three years. Each resulted in a scuffle in which Seminoles coach Mike Norvell threw the Florida flag and confronted Gators coach Billy Napier.

Norvell and Napier each discussed the incident after the game, with Napier even saying after the game, “It would have consequences for everyone involved.” Saban agreed with his former assistant coach regarding the Crimson Tide.

“I would be more upset if my team tried to fly the flag because I think that’s disrespectful and doesn’t show a lot of sportsmanship,” Saban said. “You want to beat the other team, but that disrespect that everyone wants to show is probably not a good part of the game. And I think you have to protect the brand.”

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