SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 29: Greg Gaines #99 of the Washington Huskies waits for a play to start against the Utah Utes at an NCAA football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on October 29, 2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) Local Caption ***Greg Gaines

Washington defender takes a shot at Alabama and its entire conference ahead of playoff tilt

Trash talking Alabama normally doesn't end well,

The SEC is off to a rough start in bowl season, and Washington defensive lineman Greg Gaines called out the conference Thursday before Saturday's College Football Playoff game against Alabama.

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"I think we can hold our own against the SEC," Gaines told Fox Sports. "I think the SEC as a whole might be a little overrated... Everyone talks about the SEC like they're the greatest conference ever to exist and that the SEC has no respect for the Pac-12. I like it though. It gives us a big chip on our shoulder and we wanna go prove ourselves."

Gaines also said Washington players liked being the underdog.

"I kinda like the fact that there's no respect for us," he said. "It definitely gives us a huge chip on our shoulder. I think it's gonna be crucial to winning this game because we want it so bad."

Gaines and the Washington defensive line could be a problem for Alabama's offensive line, particularly Gaines, Vita Vea and Elijah Qualls.

However, it's probably not a good idea to call out Alabama and its conference before Saturday's playoff game. Talking trash about Alabama usually doesn't end well.

(h/t Fox Sports)