Is this the best team Nick Saban has had at Alabama? Jim McElwain thinks so

Florida head coach Jim McElwain has had nothing but compliments for Alabama this week as his Florida team prepares to face the Tide in Saturday's SEC Championship. McElwain is embracing the challenge that is facing off against Alabama with the knowledge that Florida's challenge is a big one.

Monday McElwain spoke to reporters about this Saban Alabama team in comparison to what the former Alabama assistant as seen in Tuscaloosa and he doesn't think any other team compares.

"I think (this is) probably the best team that Coach has put together there from the standpoint of offense, defense and special teams," said McElwain. "I would say the thing that stands out really about their whole team is I think they've gotten actually faster."

McElwain is choosing to use his belief that this Alabama team is great in order to motivate his team. Good strategy or not, McElwain is trying to motivate his squad with the challenge of facing one of the greats.

"This is another great opportunity," McElwain said. "Not often in life do you get those opportunities, as a competitor, you get the opportunity to go challenge yourself against the best, a team that is unbelievable. They are clicking on all cylinders, got great players, obviously the best coach in college football and a staff that works the way they do. It's an honor to be able to go play them again. The big thing is, you know, it's a chance to go compete on a big stage and see what you're made of. We're excited to be there."