Bob Stoops calls Nick Saban's Sugar Bowl comment an 'excuse'

Published Jul. 23, 2014 1:47 p.m. ET

foxsports

Alabama ended its 2013 season by losing its final two games -- the Iron Bowl and then the Sugar Bowl against Oklahoma.

On Tuesday, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban admitted that he had trouble getting his team prepared for the Sooners.

It was like "getting them to try to play in a consolation game," Saban said.

Alabama was 11-0 entering the Iron Bowl, and if it beat Auburn, the Tide would go to the SEC championship game with a chance to advance to the national title game. Losing to the Tigers dashed that dream.

On Wednesday, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops found some humor in referring to the Sooners as a "consolation" opponent.

So Stoops responded to Saban: