Mark Ingram: Playoff or no Playoff, don't question Nick Saban's legacy at Alabama

The former Crimson Tide running back and new FOX College Football analyst spoke to Yahoo Sports about the suggestion that the 6-time national champion head coach's legacy would take a hit if he does not make it to the College Football Playoff this season. Mark joined Yahoo Sports thanks to Abbott’s ‘Win from Within’ Soccer Clinic and nutrition education session where they will receive direct instruction from Real Madrid coaches & staff.

Video Transcript

[AUDIO LOGO]

NICK KRUEGER: Some people were saying maybe Nick Saban's legacy could be on the line if he misses the college football playoff again this year. I'm sure you probably have some thoughts on that. But if Alabama doesn't make the playoff this year as they're breaking in a new quarterback and several other positions, where do you feel like Nick Saban's legacy sits right now and for the future?

MARK INGRAM: Nick Saban's legacy is already cemented. He's won six national championships and seven if you include the one in LSU. So if you think his legacy isn't already cemented, the best college football coach to ever do it, you're drunk. So I don't care who said it, but it doesn't matter.

His legacy is already cemented. Now, Kirby has won back to back. And who knows, maybe he goes back to back to back. But that certainly has nothing to do with Coach Saban and his legacy and what he has already done and what he has accomplished. And Kirby is a disciple of Coach Saban, so there should be an extension of his legacy right there. But no, Roll Tide always and forever, man. And Coach Saban is the best to ever do it. So if you got anything else different to say about it, man, we don't even care about you.

NICK KRUEGER: Just real quick. With the season around the corner, do you have an early prediction as to who your top four teams might be to make it into the college football playoff this season?

MARK INGRAM: The top four? So what you got Georgia trying to break in a new quarterback. You got Alabama breaking in a new quarterback. You got Michigan returning a quarterback, a double headed monster at running back. 14 starters on offense and defense. So are they the early season favorite? Go blue with Jim Harbaugh and those boys up there? Are they the early season favorite? I think so.

You got Ohio State. Ryan Day, Marvin Harrison Jr, they're breaking in the new quarterback. So it's kind of a toss up in the air to see. You know, you got some of these household names, Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio State. They're all breaking in new quarterbacks. I kind of like returning starters, you know what I mean? And Michigan right now I think is the early favorite.

NICK KRUEGER: And bringing things back to your partnership with Abbott. You mentioned multi-sport disciplines is the way to go for kids these days it sounds like. And obviously you're branching out into the realm of soccer. But talk a little bit about your involvement with Abbott and what you've got going on with them.

MARK INGRAM: Yeah. I'm here partnering with Abbott. And shout out to them for putting us through a nutrition-focused clinic with Real Madrid, with Real Madrid coaches. We're using the same type of nutrition that the Real Madrid players use with Ensure Max Protein Nutrition Shake. 30g of protein, 1 gram of sugar. Man, keeps me healthy, energetic, and active.

And big shout out to Abbott. Ensure Max Protein. We're going to be out there with Real Madrid coaches. We're going to be going through a clinic. We're going to be going through a real practice. We're going to be doing some scrimmages, 11 on 11. So hopefully I'll be able to show off my [? footy ?] skills and my striking skills. So hopefully I'll be able to put some goals in the back of the net, finish in the back of the net, and hold it down for the footballers trying to play football.

NICK KRUEGER: Well, thanks again Mark Ingram for taking some time for being with us here today. And good luck this college football season in your analyst role.

MARK INGRAM: Thank you. I appreciate it.