Nick Saban’s retirement has put a damper on Alabama’s expectations for next season.
The Crimson Tide opened the offseason at +550, the second-best odds on the board at FanDuel Sportsbook, to win the 2024-25 College Football National Championship behind the front-running Georgia Bulldogs (+350).
Now, after Saban’s shocking departure from the program on Wednesday, Alabama has fallen to +1000, the fourth-best odds behind Georgia (+300), Ohio State (+700) and Texas (+750) — all three of which had their odds shortened after the news.
Alabama is trailed by a trio of teams at +1200 (Oregon, Michigan and LSU).
Ole Miss (+1500) and Florida State (+1800) are the only other teams with odds better than 25/1 to win next year’s college football title.
Despite losing his head coach, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe remains one of the top contenders for next season’s Heisman Trophy, sitting at +750 at FanDuel to win the award, which is tied with Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and Georgia quarterback Carson Beck for the best odds as of Wednesday evening.
Bettors and oddsmakers will now turn their attention to Saban’s replacement and any potential transfers from Alabama after the news.
Saban’s stunning announcement comes after the Crimson Tide’s season ended in the College Football Playoff semifinal with a loss to Michigan on New Year’s Day.
This season was the 72-year-old Saban’s 17th year with Alabama and his 28th coaching in college football.
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Since Saban took over the program in 2007, Alabama has led the FBS in wins (201) and winning percentage (.874).
Saban ends his legendary coaching career with a 297-71-1 record.
He won 11 SEC titles and seven national championships — six with Alabama and one with LSU — through his nearly three-decade career on the sidelines in college football.