Saban questions Texas A&M crowd noise ahead of CFP first-round vs. Miami

Nick Saban, the former Alabama coach and current ESPN college football analyst, said Texas A&M's Kyle Field ranks among the sport's noisiest venues, and he floated a theory that the stadium's operators sometimes pipe in extra crowd noise. Saban discussed the observation during an appearance on Pat McAfee's show, saying, "I did more complaining to the SEC office... about this is the noisiest place. Plus, they pipe in noise... You can't hear yourself think when you're playing out there." He noted that the amplified atmosphere has long been part of Kyle Field's reputation and can make communication difficult for visiting offenses.

In the postseason context, Texas A&M earned a spot in the College Football Playoff despite losing to Texas in the regular-season finale and will host a first-round CFP game at Kyle Field against Miami on Saturday at 12 p.m. ET. The matchup underscores how the Aggies navigated a tough path to the postseason and will test whether their home-field advantage can carry them through the opening round.

Under NCAA policy, artificial crowd noise is allowed if it is sanctioned by conference policy or mutual consent of the institutions, provided the noise level remains consistent for both teams throughout the game. The rulebook also states that when the snap is imminent, the band or other musical elements must stop playing, and the referee may halt play to ensure compliance. The rules are designed to preserve fairness while allowing venues to maintain the energy fans expect at big games.

Miami travels to College Station to challenge a hostile home atmosphere. The Hurricanes will need to stay composed and execute their game plan amid what is expected to be a loud, sustained environment at Kyle Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET, and the showdown will unfold in a setting that has often been a defining feature of Texas A&M's postseason efforts.