One of the most discussed topics at SEC Media Days has been Alabama’s dominance in the conference, including four of the last five conference championships.

Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban was asked about the perception that the conference is a one-team league during his time at the podium on Wednesday:

Coach, you guys have won 17 straight SEC games now. You pretty much dominated the league over the last few years. How do you respond to those who say that your program is turning the SEC into a one-team league? And do you sense anybody getting closer to catching up with you guys?

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for a lot of teams in our league,” Saban said. “I mean, LSU is very, very good. Ole Miss has beaten us a couple times in the last few years. Mississippi State has got a good quarterback coming back. Arkansas’s got a good quarterback coming back. A&M’s always a very challenging team.

“I think Kirby’s doing a great job at Georgia. Jim McElwain is doing a good job at Florida. Tennessee has gotten better and better every year. I am trying to think of somebody in our league that I don’t have a tremendous amount of respect for. Vanderbilt went to a bowl game last year and had a winning season.”

The transcript shows that next reporter went with their own planned question instead of a follow up, which would have been helpful to clear things up. Considering Saban started by naming all the SEC West teams before mentioning Georgia and other SEC East squads, it’s easy to see why the Auburn absence looks like it may have been intentional. Any time a coach is answering a question on the spot, however, there’s always the chance of an unintentional omission.

If Tigers are unhappy with Saban’s comments, there’s an obvious way to win back his respect – snap the streak this November.

[H/T Auburn Undercover]