Former Alabama coach Gene Stallings wasn’t surprised that Alabama beat Michigan State.

In fact, he told AL.com’s Mark Heim that “six to eight teams in the Southeastern Conference could beat Michigan State.”

The Crimson Tide trounced the Spartans 38-0 in the College Football Playoff semifinal on New Year’s Eve. Michigan State managed a season-low 239 total yards of offense, and it was the first time the Spartans were victim to a shutout since a 14-0 loss to Michigan on Oct. 21, 2000.

As for the national title game against Clemson, who do you think Stallings took? Well, Stallings does have a rooting interest with Clemson.

Dabo Swinney was a walk-on QB in Stallings’ first three seasons as head coach in Tuscaloosa. Stallings also hired Swinney as his receivers coach back in 1996. He says he just hopes the best team wins.

However, Stallings told Heim, “I do think Alabama has the better football team.”