Nick Saban, Chris Petersen trade compliments on Peach Bowl teleconference

College Football Playoff Semifinal

Peach Bowl

No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Washington

Where: Georgia Dome in Atlanta

When: Dec. 31 at 2 p.m. CT

Records: Alabama 13-0, Washington 12-1

TV: ESPN

Radio: 95.3 FM, 102.9 FM

According to the transitive property, Alabama is a lock to beat Washington.

But football games aren’t played by mathematical laws, so the Crimson Tide’s 52-6 throttling of Southern Cal to open the season and Southern Cal’s 26-13 victory over Washington on Nov. 12 hold little relevance heading into the College Football Playoff.

Both coaches know that fact, even if the fans haven’t let it sink in just yet.

“You know, we'll certainly look at it,” Washington head coach Chris Petersen said on Sunday’s Peach Bowl teleconference. “The nice thing is having time, you know, you get to look at everything. But it's a decent gauge because we played, obviously, USC and so we know those athletes, those coaches and so you have a feel for USC just playing them, and that's a way to gauge some things.

“We already know the tremendous challenge that we have, going against Alabama. We probably don't even need to put on that tape to know what a challenge we have. But when we do, it will certainly put things in perspective.”

There’s no question Southern Cal was a different team when it played Washington two-and-a-half months after Alabama opened the season against the Trojans.

Challenge was the word of the day for Petersen, who joked that he’s sort of glad he hasn’t had time to study Alabama’s defense.

“The good thing is I really haven't had a chance to look at them. I probably, if I had a chance, I wouldn't be standing here talking to you. We'd be practicing right now.

“I haven't had a chance to look at them. I've had a chance to look at them on TV a little bit, but never really studied them, you know, not being on our schedule, thinking we would play them. Now here we are so we'll get a chance to analyze them. I haven't had a chance to really know any of the specifics about schemes and the details of their players.

“I will say this. Adapting to the time change is going to be the least of our problems, playing Alabama.”

The Huskies will travel 2,635 miles for the game while Alabama, which just played in the Georgia Dome, is just 202 miles from its semifinal destination.

Washington quarterback Jake Browning is the fifth-ranked passer in the country with a passer rating of 176.51, throwing for 3,280 yards and 42 touchdowns and completing 223 of 353 attempts against seven interceptions. His 9.3 yards per attempt ranks seventh in the country.

Overall, Washington ranks seventh nationally in yards per play and wide receiver John Ross is tied for second in the country with 17 touchdown receptions. Ross has 1,122 receiving yards on 76 receptions.

UA coach Nick Saban hasn’t had much occasion to watch Washington before today, but he’s seen bits and piece of the Pac-12 champions. He gave his initial impressions of Browning.

“I haven't seen him much. I'm in a little bit the same mode as Coach Petersen in terms of we didn't find out until earlier today that we were going to play each other,” Saban said.

“I have seen him play on TV a couple times, and really, really impressed with him athletically as well as a passer and does a really good job of executing their offense and taking what the defense gives, and I think that's why his passing efficiency is one of the best in the nation.”

Much will be made of UA offensive analyst Steve Sarkisian having been the Washington head coach from 2009-13, but at best he might provide some knowledge from some current Huskies’ recruitments.

Both coaches traded compliments with Saban saying it’s no surprise Petersen turned the Huskies around in short order given his history of successful seasons at Boise State.

Likewise, Petersen gushed about what Saban’s accomplished in Tuscaloosa.

“I don't think there's a better program in the country,” Petersen said. “I don't think anybody would dispute that. I think it's one thing to make it to the playoffs once and do some good things now and again. But, I mean, every year, you know Alabama is going to be right there. It's just a testament to the system, the program, the whole thing that he's built at Alabama.

“I mean, it's the best in the country, and he's proved that year after year, and I don't think anybody would dispute that. So this will be the toughest challenge that any of us has seen for quite a while.”

Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron@tidesports.com or at 205-722-0229.