The key to victory in college football? Do not take your rivals too lightly. That’s something that Georgia Bulldogs HC Kirby Smart follows to the T. The Dawgs are all set to fly to Alabama which will be hosting the big evening on Saturday, September 28. Smart might have accomplished huge things since he stepped foot in Georgia, but his record against the Crimson Tide is still something that falls last on the list of achievements.

So to him, it does not really matter whether it’s the first SEC challenge for Alabama HC Kalen DeBoer, it’s going to be a big game for them. Meanwhile, is Smart and Co. a little too nervous now that Alabama has two coaches- one official and one unofficial? A Bulldogs insider comes with a snub at Tuscaloosa’s coaching scene. 

Pressure mounts on Kirby Smart

There is no other way to describe the upcoming Georgia-Alabama face-off other than the word ‘big’. The hosts of the Georgia Bulldogs on Football on DawgsHQ podcast broke down how the Dawgs HC “needs to win perception wise” since “he’s won national championships, they’ve won New Year’s Day Bowl Games, they’ve had number one recruiting classes.” Well, that does not make for enough to help Smart feel content. And what makes DeBoer such a crucial part of the story?  

It’s strange that someone like Smart carrying back-to-back notable records is under pressure for someone like DeBoer, who would face the SEC challenge for the first time. The podcast came up with an interesting insight into the Smart-Alabama connection. “If you read Kirby Smart’s bio somebody were to make it the little fine print would say his record against Alabama.” 

Time for the Bulldogs fans to face the brutal reality. They might be raising their Georgia HC to the pedestal, but he is 1-5 against Alabama and the GOAT Nick Saban. Back in 2023, the Crimson Tide beat the Bulldogs in the SEC Championship game, knocking the previously undefeated Bulldogs out of the playoffs. So no matter whether it’s DeBoer’s first time, his program still carries the Saban legacy that’s enough to leave the Bulldogs without any sleep. 

Nick Saban’s shadow looms as Georgia plays some mind games

In case you think now that Saban has called it quits with the Crimson Tide, and he will be all aloof, it’s time for you to wake up! The GOAT is not going anywhere. Rather, DeBoer is not going to let him go anywhere. Since Crimson Tide owes Saban for the existing roster, the new HC assured the players how their favorite HC will be only one call away, “I want to make sure that that connection is always there and that they always feel like they can reach out to the coach that recruited them.”

While Saban has an “open door” to get free entry into the Tuscaloosa hood, he is a pro at balancing things out. The GOAT once shared how he is only there to guide them from a distance. But even then, maybe Smart’s squad got a little scared.  On September 23, on the UGA Football on Dawg podcast, a Dawgs insider whipped up a master plan to break Alabama’s morals before the big day. 

So what he thought wise was to attack Crimson Tide for having two coaches. “I just don’t know if you can have two head coaches. It’s important for Alabama to be coached by Kalen DeBoer right now. Not by Nick Saban,” stated the insider. But when you have Nick Saban on speed dial, demotivating would be a tough task for Georgia. So, Kirby Smart better watch out and tread with caution!  

Besides the pre-game updates if things like NIL and NFL interest you, there is some interesting content waiting for you in the Think Tank podcast with Doug Sanders.