Alabama football came out on the right side of a wild Iron Bowl at Auburn on Saturday. There’s no break for the Crimson Tide this week, as UA heads to Atlanta for an SEC championship game date with No. 1 Georgia.

On Monday, Alabama head coach Nick Saban met with local media as Alabama begins its week of preparation for the game, which is crucial for its College Football Playoff hopes. Here are the highlights from the press conference.

— Saban says he went to church yesterday and the first thing he said was “Thank God what could have happened didn’t happen” in the Iron Bowl.

— Says he’s proud of Crimson Tide for giving itself the chance to play in the SEC championship game. Says Georgia is one of, if not the best team in college football. Says Kirby Smart has done excellent job in Athens.

— Says Georgia “doesn’t have a whole lot of weaknesses” and it will be key for Alabama to execute well.

— Saban is asked if 2021 Iron Bowl to SEC championship game turnaround could help this year’s team. Says many players from this year’s team were not there.

— Saban says Kadyn Proctor has developed confidence. Says improved communication on the offensive line has helped with that. Says having increased success has helped build that confidence.

— Says Georgia has really good offensive team. Praises how Carson Beck runs it from the quarterback position. Says scheme is excellent. Says Brock Bower is likely the best tight end in the country and he’s assuming Bowers will play in the title game.

— Saban says some rivalries, like the Iron Bowl, are instilled in the culture and will always be, while some, like Georgia, aren’t traditional but become that because of two really good teams playing. Says opportunity to play team that has won 29 consecutive games doesn’t come along often.

— Saban praises players who made up for Ladd McConkey and Brock Bowers while those two were injured throughout this season.

— Says offensive line coach Eric Wolford has done excellent job turning offensive line around. Says Georgia will be the best front Alabama will face all year.

— Saban says it’s important to play with passion but not get overly emotional during games. Says players need to understand the best opportunity to make big plays will come from doing their jobs.

— Says quarterback Jalen Milroe has played well this season. Notes confidence has grown throughout the year. Says Milroe does good job playing one play at a time and executing his job.