SEC coaches' records vs. ranked teams since 2013

What’s better? Losing to a ranked team or beating an unranked team handily?

That question would probably lead to some arguments, but what can’t be argued against is Nick Saban’s success against ranked teams over the past three seasons. Under Saban, Alabama has gone 16-5 against Top 25 teams, including 8-1 last season on its way to a national title and 14-1 finish.

The Crimson Tide’s only loss last season was to Hugh Freeze and Ole Miss – which was ranked 15^th entering the game — in Tuscaloosa no less.

Freeze was almost as successful as Saban against ranked teams in 2015, going 5-1 as the Rebels capped a 10-3 season with a rout of Oklahoma State in the Sugar Bowl.

Freeze, however, is 9-7 against ranked teams over the past three seasons, but he is in a much more secure place than two of his SEC peers. Les Miles, who was nearly fired last year, is 8-6 against Top 25 teams since 2013. And Gus Malzahn, whose Auburn Tigers did not win an SEC home game in 2015, is 9-9.

How’s this for a comparison? Saban beat as many Top 25 teams in 2015 as Derek Mason has faced in his two years at Vanderbilt. Not that Saban needs any justification, but his record against ranked teams since 2013 – not to mention two straight College Football Playoff appearances including one national title – easily explain why he is the highest-paid college football coach in the country at more than $7 million a year.

SEC coaches’ records vs. ranked team since 2013 (opponents ranked at time of game)

* — Muschamp’s record as head coach at Florida.