'F*** Nick Saban' chants erupt after former Alabama coach taunts Tennessee, references his 16 victory cigars

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In less than three seasons on the "College GameDay" set, Nick Saban has turned into quite the performer. He's still arguably the greatest college football coach of all time, though.

Saban leaned into his current role and brazenly alluded to his former one while trolling Tennessee on Saturday in Knoxville, where GameDay was posted up to preview a showdown between the No. 14 Volunteers and No. 1 Texas.

The GameDay dashboard flashed a graphic that read, "'UT' you're all in on?" Saban, who will turn 75 next month, spread his arms and confidently said, "I'm all in on the University of Tennessee."

Cue a symphony of cheers from the Volunteers fans crowding the lawn of Ayres Hall.

There were even "Sa-ban, Sa-ban, Sa-ban" chants echoing a command from Pat McAfee.

What Saban did next, however, encapsulated the essence of Lee Corso's famous tag line, "Not so fast, my friend!" Pulling off a reversal reminiscent to those his former deskmate specialized in, Saban changed tune.

"Because," Saban finally continued, "we smoked 16 out of 17 cigars when we played you all."

Saban went 16-1 against Tennessee during his prolific 17-season run at Alabama, where he won six of his seven national titles (his first came at LSU). And in that storied rivalry, known as the Third Saturday in October, Crimson Tide victories have long been celebrated with stogies.

So, unsurprisingly, Vols faithful suddenly began to shower Saban with boos after he referenced those smokes.

"That's so rude," McAfee said to Saban.

Kirk Herbstreit added: "You set them up and then cut 'em off right there."

As the GameDay crew processed that bait and switch, a "F*** Nick Saban" chant built to a crescendo.

In jest, Saban burst out, "You can't take a joke!"

That lighthearted remark drew laughter from the GameDay crew.

This season, Tennessee will host Alabama on Oct. 17. The teams have split their past four meetings. Denying the now-No. 8 Crimson Tide a victory cigar next month would make for an even stronger response to Saban's taunt.

Before then, the Vols will have to get through Saturday's clash with the top-ranked Longhorns and then games against Auburn and Arkansas.

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