Nate Oats gives takes on Alabama vs Georgia in SEC championship game
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Crimson Tide basketball coach Nate Oats wasn't going to act like he knows what it takes for Alabama football to win the SEC Championship against Georgia.
The former Maranatha Baptist college wide receiver still has enough ball knowledge to be aware of what Alabama can't afford when facing the Bulldogs in Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Oats will certainly be watching how Kalen DeBoer's team does on Saturday, Dec. 6, so here's what he's keeping an eye on, and his own College Football Playoff hopes for the Crimson Tide.
"I love the fact that I'm at a football school where football's important," Oats said. "I like going to games. I like cheering for our team."
Oats started off by reminding that the Crimson Tide beat Georgia, 24-21, on Sept. 7 in Bryant-Denny Stadium, but noted that Georgia's "really good" and stands ahead of Alabama in the CFP rankings.
Georgia ranks third in the top 25, while Alabama sits at No. 9 after a 23-21 loss to Oklahoma to end the regular season.
"We need to play hard and not turn the ball over. Some general Monday morning quarterback stuff," Oats laughed, confident that DeBoer will have the team "ready to go" against Georgia.
While Oats wasn't going to feign having "any idea" what requires to overcome the Bulldogs, his takes weren't wrong. Three turnovers against the Sooners were a deciding factor in the Nov. 15 defeat.
Oats noted that DeBoer's 2-0 against Georgia, though.
"I'm sure Georgia's making that point to their team, too. They're pretty good," Oats said.
Oats said a win would be "great," and so would a home game. He didn't know if making the jump to the top four was possible, but he wouldn't mind a bye week, either.
"It'd be great if we're not in the top four to have a home game in that first round, because I'd love to be at it," Oats said. "Good luck to coach DeBoer and the guys."
One day after Alabama-Georgia's 3 p.m. CT showdown, Oats and his crew return to the court on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 1 p.m. CT, when Crimson Tide hoops is set to meet UTSA.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Nate Oats gives takes on Alabama football vs Georgia in SEC title game
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