Nick Saban Reveals Why It's 'Better' for Georgia With Loss to Alabama

Seven-time national champion Nick Saban sent Georgia head coach Kirby Smart a text message following the 41-34 loss to Alabama last week, according to Saban on "College GameDay."

It's not a surprise that Saban would reach out to his former assistant coach. The two worked together for nine years in Tuscaloosa before Smart took the helm in Athens. Smart and Saban also squared off six times as opposing coaches. However, what Saban sent Smart following the Bulldogs' tough night was extremely rare given Georgia's dominance over the last four seasons.

Saban reminded Smart that one loss does not define an entire year. The Bulldogs had won 42 regular-season games in a row before the battle with Alabama last week.

During Saban's stellar run at Alabama, including six national titles, the Crimson Tide finished undefeated twice. A blemished record does not keep a team from national championship contention. Saban actually believes that Georgia's 7-point loss is ultimately a good thing for the Bulldogs.

"I think it's tougher for when you have a big win," Saban said on Saturday. "I think when you have a loss and the players are disappointed, it's just human nature that everyone seems to respond better when you have a thunderbolt – something bad happens – everybody's willing to make the changes they need to make to get it right. And I think Georgia will respond in a really positive way."

Georgia doesn't have to be perfect to play for its third national championship in the last four years. Even Saban's Crimson Tide won six national championships while finishing undefeated just twice.

The challenge for the No. 5 Bulldogs is creating the response that Saban is calling for. There isn't much time to tighten things up given the tough SEC slate down the road. UGA will take on Auburn on Saturday before traveling to Mississippi State in Week 7. Matchups against No. 2 Texas (Oct. 19), No. 12 Ole Miss (Nov. 9) and No. 4 Tennessee (Nov. 16) will ultimately make or break UGA's opportunity to make the postseason.

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