Alabama’s Nick Saban Says SEC Exclusion From CFP Would Amount to ‘Disrespect’

The SEC championship game between Alabama and Georgia holds a lot of weight for the College Football Playoff, and Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban is already making the case for his team should they prevail.

If No. 8 Alabama loses to No. 1 Georgia, then the Bulldogs will make the playoff and the Crimson Tide will be left for a lesser bowl game. But if Alabama beats Georgia, there's a shot at some chaos. The Bulldogs could be kicked out of the top four, but depending on what happens elsewhere across conference championship weekend, there might not be enough room in the bracket to jump Bama in, even as the SEC champions.

This means an SEC team could very plausibly not be present in the CFP this season. Saban sees issues with this potential outcome.

“I think if we beat them, we’d be one of the best four teams in the country,” Saban told ESPN’s Heather Dinich. “I think it would be a disrespect to the SEC if there isn’t SEC representation in the Final Four. I do believe that.”

Saban spoke about this topic on multiple occasions on Thursday. He truly believes that his program would be considered a top team in the country if they can beat No. 1 Georgia.

“I think the SEC is one of the best conferences in the country,” Saban said in his press conference on Thursday. “I think Georgia is one of the best teams in the country, I think they’re one of the best four teams in the country. I think if we beat them, we’d be one of the best four teams in the country.”

The SEC’s representation in the CFP this season all weighs on Saturday’s championship game, which kicks off at 4 p.m. ET.