The Alabama Crimson Tide are gearing up to play the Clemson Tigers for the third straight year in the College Football Playoff.

The Tide lost to the Tigers in last year’s national championship game, so it would be understandable if they were out for revenge this time around.

However, on Wednesday, coach Nick Saban said his team will be motivated by other factors — namely by the desire to advance to the national championship game:

“I really don’t know how much revenge is motivation,” he said. “I think our players respond because they’ve had a lot of success.”

Alabama did lose several key players, especially on defense, from last year’s runner-up squad, but there are still plenty of guys who remember last year’s loss.

Whatever happens in the buildup to the game, Saban will try to keep his team focusing on the big picture instead of trying to avenge last year’s loss.