Alabama OG responds to Nick Saban's SEC championship pick: Tyler Booker ignoring 'a guy who plays golf all day'

Nick Saban is picking against the Crimson Tide this fall, but an Alabama offensive lineman isn't letting it affect him.

Tyler Booker, a junior offensive guard, wasn't bothered when Saban left Alabama out of the SEC championship game this season. The former coach predicted Texas and Georgia to play in the title match.

This wouldn't necessarily prevent Alabama from making the College Football Playoff since the field is expanding from four to 12 teams this year.

MORE: Will SEC officials penalize 'horns down' gesture?

It is, however, an unusual scenario having Saban pick against the Crimson Tide. He spent 17 seasons in Tuscaloosa, winning six national championships there.

Here's why Saban didn't pick Alabama and how Booker responded to his former coach's comments.

MORE: How Kirby Smart will handle being College Football's top coach

Why did Nick Saban bet against Alabama?

Aside from his own departure from the sidelines, Saban had concerns about Alabama's roster for the 2024 season.

Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry both left for the NFL, and Caleb Downs entered the transfer portal after his freshman season. These three gone leave a gaping hole in the team's secondary unit.

While Saban trusts quarterback Jalen Milroe, he sees too many concerns to "jump on that bandwagon."

"I believe in our Alabama team, too — I believe in Jalen Milroe," Saban said at SEC Media Day s. "I just think the question marks in the secondary, until those get resolved, it's hard to sort of jump on that bandwagon."

MORE: Who will win the SEC championship?

Alabama OG responds to Nick Saban's SEC title pick

Booker is entering his third season with the Crimson Tide after joining the university's football team in 2022. He learned a lot in two seasons under Saban, including how to tune out the media.

It's advice that Booker is now using against his former coach after Saban predicted Georgia and Texas to make the SEC championship. Booker said Saban taught the team to "not concern ourselves with external factors ... he's considered an external factor."

"He always used to say, ‘Don’t let some guy that lives in their mom’s basement determine how you feel,’" Booker said at SEC Media Days. "So, I’m not gonna let some guy who plays golf all day determine how I feel. I’m not too worried about it because he’s an external factor now. He works at the stadium, not the facility."

While there is truth to Booker's statements, it was a lighthearted jab at his former coach. It will be the first season Alabama begins without Saban since 2006, but he'll still be within arms length as a media member at ESPN.