The most important thing is to win, right?

Nick Saban revealed Friday that the “kiss of death” for a team is a little more complicated.

“Play badly and win,” Saban said during his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “It’s the kiss of death.”

The reason, the former Alabama coach explained, is the mindset of the player moving forward.

“Men don’t always want to answer,” he said. “They look at you and say, ‘Hey, coach, we won the game.’ Why are you so upset, forcing us to practice and stuff?’

“When you lose, they say, ‘When do we practice?’ rather than, ‘Why do we train?'” There’s a big difference in mindset.”

RELATED: Saban just made his latest comment while talking about transfers

This is what makes it so difficult to achieve long-term success and even greatness.

“The really great competitors always keep that great attitude,” the ESPN “College GameDay” analyst shared. “They want to be the best they can be. It’s not just about winning and losing. It’s about how good I can be.”

So does that mean Alabama has a lead against Georgia on Saturday after the Bulldogs struggled to beat Kentucky 13-12 two weeks ago? Not necessarily.

“Knowing (Georgia coach) Kirby (Smart), knowing Georgia, knowing the success and expectations they have as a team, I would say winning that close game was a positive thing for them and say to be able to say, ‘Hey, “We need to be able to make some corrections here.” … I think the players were probably very receptive to that, and I think the bye week was probably a very welcome time for them.”

Branson Robinson rushed for a 3-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter and top-ranked Georgia overcame a lethargic performance to get past Kentucky two weeks ago and then hold it off. The Bulldogs trailed 9-3 early in the third, but got within three points on Peyton Woodring’s 30-yard field goal before embarking on their longest drive of the night.

Trevor Etienne’s 12-yard run, 11-yard pass reception and 8-yard rush brought the Bulldogs to the Kentucky 29. The Florida transfer then broke right for a 17-yard run to the 11 and tiptoed out of bounds down the sideline in an attempt to reach the end zone. Three plays later, Robinson gave Georgia its first lead.

Mark Heim is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard daily from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile app.