- ABC News
- November 30, 2023
Should Alabama upset No. 1 Georgia on Saturday in the SEC championship game, the conference could be on the outside looking in when the four College Football Playoff teams are selected Sunday. Alabama coach Nick Saban said Thursday that it would "be a disrespect to the SEC if there isn't an SEC representation in the [CFP]." Speaking on the SEC championship game teleconference, Saban first said his focus was on Saturday's game, but when pressed on the issue, he reiterated what he said on "The Pat McAfee Show" earlier Thursday: An SEC team should be in the playoff despite the Crimson Tide-Bulldogs outcome. The SEC has won the past four national championships (Georgia twice, Alabama and LSU), and six of the nine titles overall during the CFP era. Twice, two SEC teams have played for the championship: Alabama beat Georgia for the 2017 title, and Georgia topped Alabama for the 2021 title. "I think the SEC is one of the best conferences in the country," Saban said. "I...