When the star player and unquestioned leader of the SEC East champion self-imposes a media ban, it makes news.

But Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray’s decision not to do interviews this week is not a slap at the media, according to his roommate, linebacker Christian Robinson.

“I don't think it has anything to do with the media,” Robinson said Monday. “Just him, personally, I don't think he's trying to send a message. I just think he's dedicated to this week, and being prepared. He wasn't at the house yesterday. He was here studying film all day. He's just a great competitor, one of my great friends, and I know this one means so much to him.

“He works his tail off every day, and people really don't see that sometimes. He just wants to be completely ready and not have big distractions. Sometimes talking to me takes a little time away, but at the same time, he's just trying to get prepared. And I don't think it's bigger than that. This is the biggest game of our career.”

Murray, who has struggled in big games against elite defenses, won’t have to answer questions about that this week.

He will be available to talk after the game.

Who has better D? The numbers don't quite back him up, but Georgia CB Sanders Commings said after practice Monday, “I think we’re the best defense in the country.

“I thought we were last year. We had 10 out of 11, 10 out of 12 guys back who started. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be the top defense. Everybody who plays in this defense thinks we are.”

Commings' comments echoed what safety Bacarri Rambo said Saturday night after the blowout of Georgia Tech, when he claimed the Bulldogs were “more talented” than the Crimson Tide.

Georgia's defenders are bursting with confidence after allowing an average of 8.6 points over their last five games. They gave up 24.1 points over their first six. Georgia ranks 17th nationally at 17.7 points allowed and 22nd in total defense at 337.9 yards per game.

Alabama ranks No. 1 in points allowed (9.3) and total defense (233.7).

Burn the redshirt? One big question heading into Saturday’s SEC Championship Game is whether Alabama coach Nick Saban will take the redshirt off wideout Chris Black.

The freshman might be needed after Kenny Bell broke his leg against Auburn. Bell was the third Crimson Tide receiver lost for the season.

Teammates say that if Black’s number is called, he’ll be ready.

“He’s been practicing against us for the last three weeks -- doing things, giving us a great look of different receivers from different teams,” cornerback Dee Milliner told Al.com. “He does a great job with that. Hopefully, if he can play, he’ll be a big step for us.”

Black hurt his shoulder in an August practice and was supposedly out of the season. But he returned to practice early this month and now may find himself on the SEC’s biggest stage.

“You'd like to be able to roll guys in and out at that position,” Saban said. “Guys get a little winded at times, especially when they run a lot of deep routes or when you go two-minute or something.

“We definitely need to get more guys ready to play.”

Alabama’s top three wideouts are Amari Cooper, Kevin Norwood and Christion Jones. Al.com reported that Black lined up in Bell's old spot, behind Norwood, at Monday’s practice.

For more up-to-the minute news and analysis from SEC bloggers Larry Hartstein and Daniel Lewis, follow @CBSSportsSEC.