Nick Saban routinely uses interesting analogies to get his point across, and on his radio show on Thursday, the topic was how to avoid complacency in November.

“It’s kind of like having a great meal and smoking a cigarette, for all you people that smoke,” Saban said. “I don’t really smoke. But you feel full and comfortable, and it all leads to a natural letdown.”

As if he shared his message to his team, Saban shifted into his role as a motivational speaker when he described an internal battle at this time of the season. He noted how teams typically lose in November and referenced a time when Alabama lost and there was disappointment, but then they learned other teams lost.

Complacency has been a battle cry for years for Saban. If “the process” is one word that’s synonymous with Saban, fighting against complacency is next in line. No matter if he’s in a championship game, Saban continually looks for the “next challenge,” be a play, game or season.