Rece Davis defended Nick Saban – not that the Alabama coach needs defending – over his decision not to release a depth chart earlier this week.

Davis, the host of ESPN’s “College GameDay,” doesn’t believe a coach withholding personnel decision is a big deal.

“This bothers me only because I like to look at the depth charts on Friday night as we get set for the Saturday morning show,” Davis said on “X,” the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “But I don’t find this as some big affront to nature. I don’t think he’s trying to hide his starting quarterback from Middle Tennessee.”

Earlier this week, Paul Finebaum said Saban was petulant and indecisive when he refused to release the depth chart. But mostly, the SEC Network analyst said the Alabama coach is just bullying the local media tasked with covering the Alabama Crimson Tide. Tim Brando also took issue with Saban.

“The one thing about Nick is that when he tells you why he’s doing something publicly, more times than not, that is why he’s doing it,” Davis said. “He said he wanted to keep the competition going, not only at quarterback but other players. Creates undue stress. They have started this mantra of they want to go back to be this team that you don’t want to compete against, and he doesn’t want to undercut that.

“Sooner or later, he’s going to have to put out a depth chart because the players already know what the depth chart is, they’re in practice every day and they know when they go to take their reps.”

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.