Kristen Saban is as Bama as it gets—loyal, loud, and unapologetically proud. From rocking stylish game-day fits to backing Alabama through tough losses, Nick Saban’s daughter has always been a vocal supporter of the Tide. Taking to Instagram, she reminded doubters, “You know what happens every time you doubt them,” as she cheered on Bama’s stellar performances against powerhouses like Georgia and LSU. But this year, even Kristen couldn’t hide her frustration after Alabama’s playoff snub.

Still, Kristen found a way to lighten the mood. On December 30, she posted a playful story, saying, “Forget the playoffs, I want to go to the @poptartsbowl.” Alongside her caption was a hilarious clip from the game, featuring a Pop-Tart mascot teasing a referee—pure entertainment gold.

Kristen’s post wasn’t just about the Pop-Tarts Bowl, though. Well, Miami and Iowa State also missed the CFP and squared off against each other for the non-CFP Bowl game. By sharing this moment, Kristen showed she’s trying to move past Bama’s playoff snub—though whether she can fully distract herself remains to be seen.

As a lifelong Bama supporter, we can understand Nick Saban’s daughter’s predicament. But do you also think Bama’s playoff omission makes sense? Given that Alabama had 3 losses at the end of the season, including losses to unranked teams like Vanderbilt and the Oklahoma squad, it seems fair that they were not selected for the CFB playoffs. As compared to other competitors, these losses significantly reduced their chances of making the playoffs.

In addition, the Tide’s chances of improving their record during the championship weekend were diminished, as they were not eligible to play in the SEC Championship game. However, when did it become clear that Bama was out of it?

Miami initially appeared to have assisted Tide in slipping through the cracks. But Clemson’s victory against SMU in the ACC Title Game was the turning point. With just two losses to ranked opponents, SMU was able to outperform Alabama as a result. And after that, Bama was trounced. Don’t worry, though; Nick Saban is always there to offer guidance and support for his former squad.

The ‘Sabans’ will always bleed Crimson Tide

Alabama got snubbed from the playoffs despite a 9-3 record and missing out on the SEC Championship. When addressing the matter, former HC Nick didn’t mince words. He emphasized how crucial schedule strength is when making playoff judgments. “If we don’t take strength of schedule into consideration, is there any benefit to scheduling really good teams in the future?” said Saban. If strength of schedule doesn’t directly translate to better rankings or playoff appearances, is it really worth it to consistently face those tough opponents?

What’s more interesting than this is that Nick Saban’s daughter raised her voice a few days ago in response to Alabama’s recent difficulties. In a since-removed Instagram story, Kristen subtly asked her father, Nick Saban, to come out of retirement. According to that post, Alabama fans are essentially begging “Saint Nick Saban,” the exceptional coach, to come back.

Kristen Saban’s recent social media activity has fans buzzing. She commented, “Obsessed with this 👏😍” on a post from the Red Mountain Theatre in Birmingham that featured a video about her father’s potential comeback from retirement. It’s hard not to read between the lines. Many fans think Kristen is hinting that her dad should trade in his ESPN gig for a return to the Alabama sidelines. Plus, Lane Kiffin and other coaches are urging Saban to become the next CFB Commissioner. Of course, the 72-year-old can’t do it all. But hey, who’s better than Saban in a crisis?