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James Crepea | jcrepea@al.com
Even bitter rivals can agree on some things.
As the only team to play both Alabama and UCF last season, former Auburn players at the NFL Combine were asked to weigh in on who was the national champion.
Not surprisingly, the former Tigers backed their SEC brethren.
"Who played Georgia in the national championship game? There's one team," Kerryon Johnson said. "They have the trophy. They went through the playoffs. They played Georgia. They won. It's as simple as that. Shoot any undefeated team could pop up and say, 'We're national champions.' I mean, they didn't play for it, that's the bottom line."
Jeff Holland, who had two tackles in the Iron Bowl and Peach Bowl with a sack in the latter, said Alabama offensive tackle Jonah Williams was among the toughest matchups he faced last season. While Holland credited UCF with keeping him "off balance" and credited their offense in the Peach Bowl, the edge rusher didn't think there was much debate about the national champion.
"Pfft," Holland said. "I mean, I wouldn't know. I played both teams, but I think we're going to stay with it in the SEC you know."
Stephen Roberts said UCF was a "great team" and praised them for beating Auburn, but both he and Carlton Davis, who didn't play in the Peach Bowl due to what he said was a sinus infection, said Alabama was the champion.
"They got the ring," said Roberts, who initially committed to Alabama and flipped to Auburn. "At the end, they got the trophy."
Even as Braden Smith and Kamryn Pettway, who didn't face either team due to injury, tried to avoid taking a side, they acknowledged the outcome of the College Football Playoff.
"Unless you play in the national championship game, I mean officially Alabama won it," Smith said. "So that's all I'll put forward."
Pettway did say UCF should've had been in the playoffs.
"Both teams are very good, but Alabama actually won the national championship," he said. "I feel like UCF could've had a chance at the playoffs though - they should've had a chance at the playoffs."
Alabama running back Bo Scarbrough agreed and said the Crimson Tide would've defeated the Knights if the teams had met last season.
"I'm proud of them - they had a perfect season and they were the only team to go undefeated, so I will let them celebrate," Scarbrough said. "Congrats to them on a perfect season that no one had this year. I think they should have gotten an opportunity in the playoff because they didn't lose a game. But it is what it is, you know, they had no control over it. ... I'm very confident in my team. So I say Alabama would have won."
UCF All-American linebacker Shaquem Griffin, who had 12 tackles with 3.5 for loss including 1.5 sacks in the Peach Bowl, felt the records speak for themselves.
"I mean, it's so easy to say our record - it flows so easily - 13-0," Griffin said. "When you to put 12-1 or something like that, it takes more out of you. When I have to put a different number like one or two (losses), I get tired. I say '13-0,' it just flows. I'm like man look, I'm good to go. I can say that all day."
Alabama's Minkah Fitzpatrick didn't mind UCF's claim; he's got the hardware.
"I'm happy for them. They can claim it," Fitzpatrick said. "I have the rings and the trophies. So, it's whatever."
James Crepea | jcrepea@al.com
Former Auburn players: Alabama is national champion, not UCF
As the only team to play both Alabama and UCF last season, former Auburn players at the NFL Combine were asked to weigh in on who was the national champion.
Not surprisingly, the former Tigers backed their SEC brethren.
"Who played Georgia in the national championship game? There's one team," Kerryon Johnson said. "They have the trophy. They went through the playoffs. They played Georgia. They won. It's as simple as that. Shoot any undefeated team could pop up and say, 'We're national champions.' I mean, they didn't play for it, that's the bottom line."
Jeff Holland, who had two tackles in the Iron Bowl and Peach Bowl with a sack in the latter, said Alabama offensive tackle Jonah Williams was among the toughest matchups he faced last season. While Holland credited UCF with keeping him "off balance" and credited their offense in the Peach Bowl, the edge rusher didn't think there was much debate about the national champion.
"Pfft," Holland said. "I mean, I wouldn't know. I played both teams, but I think we're going to stay with it in the SEC you know."
Stephen Roberts said UCF was a "great team" and praised them for beating Auburn, but both he and Carlton Davis, who didn't play in the Peach Bowl due to what he said was a sinus infection, said Alabama was the champion.
"They got the ring," said Roberts, who initially committed to Alabama and flipped to Auburn. "At the end, they got the trophy."
Even as Braden Smith and Kamryn Pettway, who didn't face either team due to injury, tried to avoid taking a side, they acknowledged the outcome of the College Football Playoff.
"Unless you play in the national championship game, I mean officially Alabama won it," Smith said. "So that's all I'll put forward."
Pettway did say UCF should've had been in the playoffs.
"Both teams are very good, but Alabama actually won the national championship," he said. "I feel like UCF could've had a chance at the playoffs though - they should've had a chance at the playoffs."
Alabama running back Bo Scarbrough agreed and said the Crimson Tide would've defeated the Knights if the teams had met last season.
"I'm proud of them - they had a perfect season and they were the only team to go undefeated, so I will let them celebrate," Scarbrough said. "Congrats to them on a perfect season that no one had this year. I think they should have gotten an opportunity in the playoff because they didn't lose a game. But it is what it is, you know, they had no control over it. ... I'm very confident in my team. So I say Alabama would have won."
UCF All-American linebacker Shaquem Griffin, who had 12 tackles with 3.5 for loss including 1.5 sacks in the Peach Bowl, felt the records speak for themselves.
"I mean, it's so easy to say our record - it flows so easily - 13-0," Griffin said. "When you to put 12-1 or something like that, it takes more out of you. When I have to put a different number like one or two (losses), I get tired. I say '13-0,' it just flows. I'm like man look, I'm good to go. I can say that all day."
Alabama's Minkah Fitzpatrick didn't mind UCF's claim; he's got the hardware.
"I'm happy for them. They can claim it," Fitzpatrick said. "I have the rings and the trophies. So, it's whatever."
James Crepea | jcrepea@al.com
Former Auburn players: Alabama is national champion, not UCF
