Bama and Missouri Ready For Great Environment in SEC Title Game

The SEC Championship game is not a rivalry game, but it carries the same kind of atmosphere and intensity.

Said Tide coach Nick Saban,"One of the most exciting games I’ve had an opportunity to compete in and play in through the years the few times that we have been able to get there."

Said Tigers coach Gary Pinkel,"It’s a great environment to play football in. If you get a chance to play in it as a player or coach, being in the SEC Championship game is a great, great venue."

   Gary Pinkel and Nick Saban are former college teammates at Kent State.

And Pinkel doesn’t mind bragging on his friend.

"With 85 scholarships to work with. Head coaches that have had 85 scholarships to work with their whole career, which is a lot different when we had 95, 105, 110, or 115 scholarships. To win at the level he has done it at consistently, I think it’s unprecedented."

   Saban once again has the Tide ranked number one in the nation.

Said Missouri quarterback Matty Mauk,"When you watch them on film, that tells you right there why they’re the best team in the country. You look at their linebackers. 260 and they can run. They’ve got an NFL roster over there almost."

   Missouri’s defense is no slouch either.

Said Saban,"They’re plus nine in turnover ratio, which is really pretty high. They have lots of tackles for a loss. Lots of sacks. Their front guys do a really good job.

   Bama likely needs to beat Missouri to secure one of the four spots in the inaugural college football playoff.

Said Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen,"I feel like this is the same mentality we have been having the last four or five weeks. Almost every game we have played has been like an SEC Championship game."
 The Tide and Tigers kick at 4pm on Saturday from the Georgia Dome, and the game will be televised on WDEF News 12.