Rece Davis disagrees with Nick Saban's stance on SEC's place in College Football Playoff

Rece Davis no longer believes in SEC supremacy. On Friday, the ESPN analyst countered Alabama head coach Nick Saban’s comments on the subject. For reference, Saban addressed the possibility of no SEC teams reaching the College Football Playoff.

“The SEC is one of the best conferences in the country. I think Georgia is one of the best teams in the country, and I think that they’re one of the best four teams in the country,” Saban said. “If we beat them, we’d be one of the best four teams in the country.

“There’s a transformation that goes through the season. So how are you playing now? Where’s your team now? How good are you now? I think all those things come into play. But, I think it would be a disrespect to the SEC if there isn’t SEC representation in the final four. I do believe that.”

There’s a chance the SEC will be absent from the CFP for the first time ever this season. If Alabama defeats Georgia, it’s possible neither team is one of the final four programs standing. Davis believes the incomprehensible scenario could easily become a reality.

Rece Davis weighs in on the hot topic

“They haven’t separated themselves and Alabama certainly hasn’t,” Davis said. “I understand what Nick [Saban] and others have said that it would be — their word, not mine — disrespectful not having an SEC team. I don’t know that I agree with that.

“There’s not this gap, in my judgment, from watching teams play this year between the SEC and the other conferences… The argument has always been that there is a more difficult upper-middle class in the SEC, as it were, and then even the lower-middle class — right day, right road games can be difficult. It’s still true, but I don’t think there’s the same type of separation and, because of that, it won’t be unreasonable [to exclude the SEC from the CFP].”

SEC boasts history of dominance in the CFP

Either Alabama or Georgia has been in the CFP every year since it began, except in 2019. The winner that year? Fellow SEC powerhouse, LSU. In fact, an SEC school has won the CFP six out of nine times. Clemson won twice and Ohio State won the inaugural CFP.

Despite its history, Alabama isn’t guaranteed a spot in the CFP if it defeats Georgia. Due to a loss against Texas in Week 2, it’ll be difficult for Alabama to jump over higher ranked teams such as Texas, Ohio State and Oregon.

Before Alabama can worry about logistics, it must put pressure on the selection committee. On Saturday, Alabama and Georgia will square off in the SEC Championship at 4 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on CBS.