Nick Saban a few years ago made the term rat poison very popular in the SEC, as he scolded the media for writing and saying too many positive things about Alabama. But this time, the rat poison helped Alabama, as Saban said after winning the SEC Championship Game that it helped the Crimson Tide.

In the interview after the game with Jamie Erdahl of CBS Sports, and to the assembled media after the game, Saban shared that the “rat poison” served this week helped motivate Alabama, which wanted to show the SEC and the rest of college football that the Crimson Tide deserve more respect.

Saban had to be referring to the narrative that the Alabama offensive line struggled last week against Auburn, the Crimson Tide were thin at running back with an injury to Brian Robinson, Jr, and Georgia had a historic defense allowing just 7 points per game. That was all turned on its head by halftime, and Alabama largely coasted to victory and a likely spot in the College Football Playoff.