Nick Saban addresses James Madison’s hot start, rule keeping Dukes out of bowl games

Nick Saban discusses Kentucky and the challenges of opening-drive struggles on offense in relation to Alabama Football

During his tenure as the head coach at Alabama, Nick Saban’s wide receivers coach was Curt Cignetti, who has since gone on to become a head coach at IU-Pennsylvania, Elon and James Madison. James Madison University (JMU) has made waves in college football with their outstanding 9-0 start in their second year as an FBS program, although they are not allowed to participate in bowl games or be ranked in the College Football Playoff top 25 due to NCAA rules.

When asked about Cignetti’s success at JMU, Saban expressed his happiness for his former assistant’s achievements. “I’m glad that he’s doing well,” Saban said during a press conference. “I know that he’s done a really, really good job there. They have a good team. I know they bumped up. I hear people talking about the fact that they don’t qualify to be in the playoffs or whatever because this is their first year. I don’t know what the significance of that rule is.”

He then added, “I coached for Frank — Curt’s dad — so I’m very close to the family. He did a great job for us here. I’m always excited to see guys that did a good job for us, when they get opportunities to have success and take advantage of those. He’s certainly done that well.”

In an effort to become bowl eligible, James Madison University has sent a letter to the NCAA requesting relief from the rules preventing them from participating in bowl games. The university pointed out their impressive 15-3 record against FBS teams since transitioning from FCS in the last two years.

As for the possibility of James Madison University being ranked in the College Football Playoff rankings if they become bowl eligible, Executive Director Bill Hancock confirmed that the committee will indeed rank any such team that is eligible for postseason play.

When asked to clarify this remark, Hancock reiterated, “Yes, the committee will rank any team — I don’t want to be a smart-aleck here, but the fact is the committee will rank any team that’s eligible for postseason.”