SEC Network analysts Marcus Spears, Tim Tebow and Paul Finebaum discussed on Monday what kind of impact Jeremy Pruitt’s departure will have on Alabama in the College Football Playoff.

Pruitt was hired as Tennessee’s new head coach last Thursday. However, he will still coach the Crimson Tide defense in the playoff.

But could he be too distracted with his new job to have the Tide ready to play?

“There won’t be a distraction in terms of game planning,” Finebaum said. “But there may be a distraction when Pruitt is out in the parking lot talking to a recruit that Saban’s going to be talking to in five minutes. That’s when the tension is created.

“The first game is ok. Two years ago, Kirby (Smart) got through the first game. But the championship game … problems began.”

Spears said this situation should be more manageable for Alabama than last year when offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin left.

“It’s how you manage it. I think it’s a little bit easier with it being a defensive guy,” Spears noted. “Because Nick Saban has such a hand in what they do defensively … Nick Saban controls that side of the ball.”

Tebow echoed Spears on Saban’s ability to get the defense ready to play.

“I don’t think they (Alabama) are going to miss a beat,” Tebow said. “I think Jeremy Pruitt is a very big-time coach. I think he does a very good job hands-on with players.

“But this Alabama defense is about Nick Saban — and he ain’t going anywhere.”