ATLANTA - The softer side of Nick Saban doesn't often surface in public, and the Alabama football coach probably likes it that way.
As al.com reported in October when referencing this Saban observation during his weekly radio show: "My kids were always afraid of me. And most of the players are a little afraid of me."
But that apparently hasn't filtered down to his 3-year-old granddaughter Amelie, of whom Saban said during that radio bit, "I expect her to be afraid of me and she's not. It's kind of shocking, actually. (But) it means that through the years, I've mellowed enough that some little one that I love isn't afraid of me, and I really appreciate that."
Now fast-forward to Christmas Day in the Saban household, little Amelie enjoying the spoils of Christmas courtesy of another famous Saint Nick who likes to wear a somewhat crimson shade of red.
"My granddaughter made it very special," Saban said Monday morning during his first Atlanta visit with the media prior to Saturday afternoon's College Football Playoff semifinal game against Washington in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
"The spirit of Santa Claus is alive and well, no doubt."
He also hoped everyone gathered at the Marriott Marquis for his news conference had enjoyed "a very Merry Christmas" and that "happy holidays would continue" for all.
Of course, he also later noted that a good many folks who follow any of the four colleges still alive in the playoffs - his defending national champion, Clemson, Ohio State or Washington - will have their holidays made more stressful by concern over what will happen in those contests.
"I know from a fan's perspective, the significance of these types of games create tremendous emotions and anxiety," he said. "But as competitors and players we're hopeful that that doesn't happen. You've got to be yourself and just go out and play the game."
Bama has done that better than anyone over the span of its past 25 games, which includes winning them all this year and all but one last season on its way to winning the national title. But that doesn't mean the top-ranked Tide, whose average margin of victory in 2016 is 28.7 points per game, doesn't have potential problems against a Huskies squad that's tops nationally in turnover margin (plus-21) while Bama, despite its phenomenal defense, is only 36th at plus-5.
And though his team didn't arrive in the Big Peach until Monday, it's clear that Amelie's grandfather already has spent much time in the film room studying Washington.
"Their scheme on offense is not conservative in any way, shape or form," he said. "They run a lot of trick plays, but they don't turn the ball over. And they're very aggressive on defense."
It is that defense that seems to concern the defensive genius Saban the most.
"They have great length at corner and very good cover guys," he said. "They're a little Seattle Seahawks-like: Do what we do and do it very well."
Indeed, for all the talk about the Washington offense, which averages 44.5 points per game, fourth best nationally (the Tide's 40.5 average is 13th best), the Huskies defense is nearly as stout as Bama's NCAA best unit. While the Tide surrender 11.8 points and only 184.5 passing yards a game, Washington gives up only 17.2 points (eighth nationally) and a similarly stingy 192.6 yards through the air.
Concerning that "W" pass defense, Saban added, "They do a good job of breaking on the ball. They read the quarterback's eyes well."
What Saban hopes he's learned is how to handle the fact that while this is a national semifinal game, it's also the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. The players won't just practice all week. They'll have parties to attend and hospitals to visit to brighten sick children's lives, and they'll have to deal with family and friends in town for the game.
As the nine-year Tide coach noted, "Is this a bowl game or a playoff game? You're trying to create a balance for everyone in the organization because it is a playoff game but you still want them to have a bowl game experience."
Two years ago, when the Tide lost to eventual national champ Ohio State in the semifinals, he felt his team wasn't as focused as it should have been. Last year, when Bama routed Michigan State in the semi before knocking off Clemson to win it all, he was much happier with his team's demeanor.
"There was a significant difference the last two years at how we handled it, and that was reflected in how we played in those games," Saban observed.
There could be a significant difference in how the experts expect this game to go - Bama is a two-touchdown favorite - and what happens on the field. Let Tide true freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts begin this game as shakily as he did the last two contests against Florida (SEC title game) and Auburn, and the Huskies could jump to an early lead.
Hurts has steadied himself after mistakes all season. But this isn't the regular season. This is truly one and done. And how Hurts and the rest of the Crimson Tide handle those differences will determine how soon the only young person Saban knows who isn't afraid of him will get to spend a lot of time with him rather than a little bit.
Contact Mark Wiedmer at mwiedmer@timesfreepress.com.