Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide scored a decisive win over Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, but it was a costly victory.

WR John Metchie III went down with an injury that would cost him the rest of his season, and the Tide also suffered 2 key losses in the secondary. Then, of course, in the College Football Playoff title game rematch against Georgia, WR Jameson Williams suffered a torn ACL.

Saban wasn’t making excuses during a recent sit-down interview with ESPN’s “Marty and McGee.” But, Saban did point out that Alabama was forced to adjust and “play with the hand that was dealt us”:

“I don’t know if we would’ve had a different outcome,” Saban said. “Georgia had a really, really good team. It’s hard to beat the same team twice, especially when they’re a really good team. I don’t think the fact we lost two really dynamic receivers … being the kind of team we were — good quarterback, could throw the ball effectively — and we lost both starting corners from the SEC Championship Game through the end … you always want people who they fear they can’t guard and then you always want a couple guys you think can guard their guys.

“That makes a huge difference on how you play a game. Not taking anything away from Georgia, they outplayed us in the game and we had to play with the hand that was dealt us, but those guys were all hard to replace.”

Both Georgia and Alabama fans will likely be sick of hearing about the injuries to the Tide as the 2022 season draws closer, but with both teams ranked in the top 3 of almost every poll, another title game meeting could be in the works for this coming season.