"I'm not allowed to pick against Deion Sanders": Nick Saban follows Miss Terry's orders while naming his Alamo Bowl pick

For once, Nick Saban could not speak his mind on ESPN’s College Gameday. This time it had nothing to do with Alabama, the SEC, or the College Football Playoff Committee. He was simply taking the Colorado Buffaloes as his pick in the Alamo Bowl.

During the traditional game-picking segment, the former Alabama head coach gave one quick explanation showing his support for Deion Sanders and Colorado in their game against the BYU Cougars.

“I am not allowed to pick against Deion. Miss Terry’s orders. Colorado,” Saban said.

“Miss Terry” is Terry Saban, Nick’s wife. The pick comes from a running gag from Sep. 28, when Nick picked the UCF Golden Knights to beat Colorado. Miss Terry, a guest at the show, challenged her husband’s pick.

“Against our good friend Deion? Really? He texted you this week and said what a great job you were doing,” Terry said. “I got your back, Deion. Colorado.”

Colorado won the game 48-21 as part of a streak that saw the Buffaloes winning six of seven games.

There will be no need for Nick Saban to adjust his picks or get called out this time. He is taking the Buffaloes to beat BYU in the Alamo Bowl.

Will Nick Saban get it right by picking the Colorado Buffaloes in the Alamo Bowl?

Among non-playoff bowl games, the matchup between the Buffaloes and Cougars is one of the most appealing. Deion Sanders has turned Colorado into a must-watch program.

Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter had monster 2024 seasons. Sanders is likely a top-five pick in next year’s NFL Draft, after throwing for 3,926 yards, 35 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Hunter won the Heisman Trophy, among other awards, as he was a force as a wide receiver (92 receptions, 1.152 yards and 14 touchdowns) and cornerback (32 tackles, 11 pass deflections and four interceptions).

BYU started the season hot, winning their first nine games. However, dropping close games against Kansas and Arizona State left the Cougars out of the Big 12 Championship Game.

Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff has passed for 2,796 yards, 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season. But their hopes might rest on LJ Martin and what he can produce against the Buffaloes' rushing defense.

The Cougars might not have as much star power as Colorado, but they have a gritty team that outplayed expectations. Will it be enough to upset the Buffaloes? "Miss Terry" and Nick Saban don’t believe so.