TUSCALOOSA, Ala. >> Alabama coach Nick Saban says the proposed 10-second rule is about safety not getting a competitive advantage for defenses.

Saban noted Wednesday that statistics indicate the Crimson Tide defense doesn’t need that edge.

He says he had nothing to do with the rule proposal that would penalize offenses for snapping the ball with more than 29 seconds remaining on the 40-second play clock.

Saban and Arkansas coach Bret Bielema addressed the committee that voted in favor of the rule.

Saban says he didn’t propose solutions to what he views as a problem for college football. Saban says he offered his opinion and “presented a lot of statistical data that would support the fact that pace of play is creating a lot longer games and a lot more plays in games.”