Gus Malzahn is going with the SEC West.
The fifth-year Auburn coach, making an appearance on ESPN's Championship Drive on Monday evening, picked Alabama to beat Georgia in the College Football Playoff national championship.
"You know, I played them both, and I think Alabama's got the best defense and they got the experienced quarterback (in Jalen Hurts)," Malzahn said. "He played very well last year even though they lost -- he played very well and took them down to take the lead with a minute left, so I'm going to go with Alabama."
Malzahn is the only coach in the country this season to beat either Alabama or Georgia, let alone both programs.