CFB World Reacts to Nick Saban's Bold Hat Choice Ahead of Indiana-Notre Dame CFP Game

ESPN's College GameDay is on-site in South Bend, Ind. as the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff kicks off with a first-round game between No. 10 Indiana and No. 7 Notre Dame.

At the top of the show, dais members Pat McAfee, Desmond Howard, Kirk Herbstreit, and Rece Davis looked rather chilly in the 32° weather—and Saban could be seen rocking an admittedly pretty sweet fedora:

This is Indiana Jones 😂😂

IT’S ALL ABOUT FOOTBALL GREATNESS TONIGHT #CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/QLc0IuZ1Nw
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 20, 2024

"This is Indiana Jones!" McAfee shouted as the panel laughed about the former Alabama head coach's hat choice.

As for the rest of the college football world? They loved it. Check out the reaction from fans across X (formerly Twitter):

Who had Nick Saban cosplaying as Indiana Jones on their College GameDay bingo card for today? pic.twitter.com/nfMogXkHbq
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 20, 2024

I love Nick Saban’s hat. First thing I noticed when I turned on the program. @CollegeGameDay
— Walter Butterfield III (@waltbutter21) December 20, 2024

Nick Saban’s hat is so cute and I’m so glad Pat is drawing attention to it 😂
— Abby Jessen (@abbyjessen) December 20, 2024

Nick Saban on the College Gameday set like: #CFBPlayoff #CFP2024 #INDvsND pic.twitter.com/H0U4D8An52
— Damien Lisi (@DamienLisi) December 20, 2024

Nick Saban is dressed like the Raiders of the Lost Ark villain whose face melts clean off.
— moose (@btownmoose) December 20, 2024

Nick Saban looking like he’s on search for clues #collegegameday pic.twitter.com/BYqXAwphAD
— Young Boozer III (@iWantSomeTop) December 20, 2024

Nick Saban, hell of an outfit. What’s your burner though pic.twitter.com/hEUFHraFMe
— Hakeem OlajuWomp (@ALayZShopper) December 20, 2024

Babe, wake up… An all-time Nick Saban fit just dropped. pic.twitter.com/Qif4jJ94WT
— Matthew Whatley 🐘 (@__whatley__) December 20, 2024

Nick Saban 🤝 Indiana Jones pic.twitter.com/E3fhWMJkx6
— College Football Alerts  (@CFBAlerts_) December 20, 2024

nick saban is dressed like paddington bear #collegegameday
— katey 🙂 (@kateymcl) December 20, 2024

Nick Saban looks like he’s about to solve a string of bank robberies in 1972 pic.twitter.com/v6ltut2FSX
— Pat (@CatPlark) December 20, 2024

Nick Saban on the @CollegeGameDay set looking like Indiana Jones, on purpose maybe…maybe not
— IAmJoe (@MightyJoeYung10) December 20, 2024

Nick Saban looks like a Catholic priest extra from “The Godfather” pic.twitter.com/zYWLEc1YVl
— Brian Edwards (@BrianEdwards63) December 20, 2024

For a head coach who was all about winning and nothing else for his 30+ year head coaching career (see his seven national championships), it's been fun to see his personality come out this season with ESPN. Getting to see his fashionable side? Even cooler.

Friday night's contest between the Hoosiers and the Fighting Irish will kick off at 8:00 p.m. on ABC/ESPN. The winner will advance to the Sugar Bowl for the CFP Quarterfinals, taking on the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs in New Orleans on New Year's Day.