Nick Saban postgame quotes after winning SEC Championship over Georgia

Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide were underdogs against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game but won handily. Here’s what the coach had to say after.

Underdogs, overmatched, and not ready to handle Georgia. That was the narrative that Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide heard all week leading up to the SEC Championship Game. But one constant truth of college football rung true throughout the evening at Mercedes Benz Stadium: Never bet against Saban.

Though the Dawgs jumped out to an early lead, it was a wholly dominant effort from Alabama on the massive stage. Bryce Young cemented his Heisman candidacy (and likely win) while the defense stifled Stetson Bennett and the UGA offense, including two picks, one of which got returned for a touchdown.

The final result was a 41-24 win for the Tide that surely punches their College Football Playoff ticket and gives Saban and Bama another SEC title. Naturally, the head coach was relentlessly himself after the game talking about the victory.

Nick Saban postgame quotes: Alabama wins SEC Championship over Georgia

When CBS sideline reporter Jamie Erdahl asked Saban if his team played the perfect game.

Nick Saban, being himself, was never going to say that. However, he did heap praise on the entirety of his team.

“We did play great on offense. And obviously, Bryce [Young] played a magnificent game,” Saban said. “The receivers did a good job. I think our O-line did a really good job of blocking pressures so he had a chance to operate, which we thought was really important in the game.”

Echoing what was already going on in that quote, Saban called the victory over Georgia an unquestionable “team win.”

“This is a great team win. I know our defense gave up some plays, but they got ’em stopped when they needed to.”

Though there are certainly bigger aspirations in Tuscaloosa than winning another SEC Championship, the Alabama head coach didn’t want this accomplishment belittled — while also coyly talking about winning respect.

“Winning the SEC is a big thing. And I’m so proud of all the fans that we have here, in the state of Alabama, and all of our players for how they played and competed in this game. Everybody wanted to gain a little respect and I think maybe we did.”

To cap off the postgame interview, he again heaped praise on the entirety of his team, both players and staff, for getting ready for this matchup and leading the way to victory.

“I think the coaches did a really good job with protections. Bryce did a good job of preparing to get them in the right place. Everybody contributed in a very positive way, I promise you.”

Speaking with the media after the game, Saban first updated everyone on the status of wide receiver John Metchie, who expects to be out for the College Football Playoff.

Saban then pulled back an old classic, saying that the media gave the Tide “yummy” “rat poison” this week with Bama being underdogs for the game.

Echoing earlier sentiments again, the head coach then praised his team for responding well after the loss to Texas A&M.

Again, don’t bet against Nick Saban’s Alabama, especially when the Tide are being doubted already.

For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.