Saban: SEC title game pick was 'reverse rat poison' for Alabama

Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban admitted that he picked Georgia and Texas to play in the SEC title game last month to motivate his former team.

"I picked Georgia and Texas because it's reverse rat poison for Alabama," Saban said on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Friday. "It's a motivating factor for them."

Saban often referred to news that's too positive or looks too far ahead into the season as "rat poison" during his legendary coaching career.

The 72-year-old also explained that he hated it when his team was picked first or second in the conference because he didn't know how it'd impact his team psychologically.

"I always hated it. ... Having to predict and make hypothetical decisions about who's going to win a game, who's going to win the championship, who's going to win what conference. I've always hated that," he said.

Alabama players didn't appear to be too concerned with the former coach's prediction during SEC media days in July.

"Something he taught me was not to pay attention to external factors, and since he works at the stadium now and not the facility, he's an external factor," offensive lineman Tyler Booker said, according to ESPN's Heather Dinich.

"All we want to do is focus on us and worry about us," quarterback Jalen Milroe said. "We still love Coach, it's all good."

Saban led the Crimson Tide to six national titles during his time with Alabama. He became an ESPN analyst after announcing his retirement after the 2023 season.

New Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer will make his debut Aug. 31 against Western Kentucky.