Saban: Title claim only meaningful to UCF

ATLANTA — Nick Saban isn’t bothered by Central Florida’s claim to a national championship. He, like nearly everyone else, knows the title won’t be won until Monday night.

“I’m fine with it,” the Alabama coach said. “Doesn’t mean anything to anybody but them.”

After being left out of the College Football Playoff, and defeating Auburn — the only team Alabama and Georgia lost to this season — in the Peach Bowl, UCF (13-0) finished as the nation’s only undefeated team this season. But since they were excluded from title contention, the Knights declared themselves national champions — before the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs meet for the recognized rights at MercedesBenz Stadium — and will hold a parade Sunday after- noon at Disney World to celebrate.

The school has made championship t-shirts available. The coaches have been paid bonuses for winning the national title. A banner will be raised in their stadium.

Saban, who has five national championships, but only once gone undefeated in his career (2009), applauded UCF’s season, but also seemed to think that similarly successful Group of Five teams in the future also probably won’t be invited to play for college football’s national title, as the playoff is currently constructed.

“I know how hard it is — we’ve only had one undefeated season, I think, in all the time I’ve been around,” Saban said. “It’s a difficult accomplishment. I think when players accomplish that, they should feel good about what they’ve accomplished.”