Updated

Alabama coach Nick Saban likes the SEC championship game's status as a national title semifinal round the past seven years.

He's not so thrilled with the loser between the second-ranked Crimson Tide and No. 3 Georgia in Atlanta probably not playing in a BCS bowl. That slot figures to go to No. 5 Florida.

Saban says "it's not really a great scenario" for either division champion.

A better scenario for them is the winner faces No. 1 Notre Dame for a chance at the SEC's seventh straight BCS title.

Georgia coach Mark Richt says focusing on the stakes "doesn't really help you win the game."

This is Alabama's eighth time in an SEC championship game but the first time the team has played someone other than the Gators.