Urban Meyer proclaimed the battles against Nick Saban’s Alabama teams in the 2008 and 2009 SEC Championship Games showcased “two teams as good as any teams I’ve seen in my lifetime.”

Saban joined Meyer, former Alabama running back Mark Ingram and Rob Stone on The Triple Option podcast to talk about a time that ultimately became a passing of the torch in the conference.

“I’ve always said the SEC Championship Game is almost like a playoff game,” Saban said. “… Those were two great teams. No doubt.”

In 2008, Tim Tebow was 5 of 5 for 70 yards and 1 touchdown in the fourth quarter alone as the No. 4-ranked Gators defeated No. 1 Alabama 31-20.

“In ‘08, Tebow was just fantastic,” Saban recalled. “We couldn’t get off the field on third down. That’s all I remember, especially in the second half.”

Tebow finished the game with 216 yards and three touchdowns. He added 57 rushing yards, and the Gators converted 7-of-13 third-down conversions.

Saban, now retired from coaching, also revealed the change his Crimson Tide made for the 2009 game, which No. 2 Alabama won 32-13 over No. 1 Florida in a game made famous for Tebow crying on the sidelines.

“Our big strategy change was we were going to rush five guys as much as we could,” Saban said. “Make (Tebow) throw it to see if we can guard everybody. We couldn’t guard everybody, but we did well enough to win the game.”

Tebow threw for 247 yards but only one touchdown and had an interception.

Meyer even joked his Gators should get credit for Ingram earning the Heisman Trophy that year. The running back had 189 all-purpose yards and three scores.

Saban remembers the ‘09 win for one thing above all else.

“I think it was one of our greatest team efforts,” he declared. “Of all the teams, that team came together as well as any I ever coached. We needed to because you (Meyer) had such a great team at Florida.

Check out the full conversation.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.