Nick Saban makes a startling admission about the Tennessee-Alabama rivalry

It's long been said that the annual showdown on the gridiron between the Tennessee Vols and the Alabama Crimson Tide is one of the greatest rivalries in all of college football, particularly among those that cross state lines.

However, there are some snarky internet trolls who argue it's not that great because it's not even Alabama's biggest rivalry, instead pointing to the annual Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn.

It appears no one told Nick Saban that was the case when he was the head coach of the Crimson Tide.  Saban said on Saturday during College Gameday that, in fact, he considered Tennessee to be Alabama's biggest rival.

"For our players, this was a bigger rivalry than any other game that we played," Saban said (to the surprise of Pat McAfee). "I'm talking about rivalry games. Even bigger than Auburn to our players. It was difficult for me to get our players up for the Auburn game. It was never difficult for the Tennessee game."

That's quite the statement from Saban, particularly given the religious status of the annual intrastate clash between Auburn and Alabama.

However, the game results do tend to suggest that was the case.  During Saban's tenure, Alabama dominated the Vols, going 16-1 and winning every game except two by double digit points.  However, the games against Auburn proved to be much more of a dogfight and a more competitive series.  Saban went 12-5 against Auburn with two miraculous finishes the last two trip to the Plains that saw his team eke out wins.

Sure, Tennessee was in sorry shape as a program for much of Saban's time in Tuscaloosa. Regardless, it felt like the Vols got Alabama's best shot every single time.  And now, it seems pretty clear as to why: Saban's players were motivated and ready to play for that rivalry game more than any other.

So, for those who say the Alabama-Tennessee game takes a backseat to any rivalry in the country, those who have fought it out on the field over the year on the Third Saturday in October would surely beg to differ.

Related: Tennessee Vols hero reveals the huge favor that Nick Saban did for him during thrilling win over Alabama