The 2024 season comes up with a new narrative for Kirby Smart and Georgia Bulldogs. Their big goal now is to make it to the championship. But poor Smart! Even though he and his boys have given their blood, sweat, and tears to reach this far, it guarantees nothing. Yes, you read that right, NOTHING!

Their luck in the championship depends on how much effort they put into the race, as much as how other teams perform, especially Alabama Crimson Tide. What a soup they landed in standing at Week 12! You know what’s more alarming? Looks like Smart is also not quite confident about the road that lies ahead! 

Kirby Smart’s eyeing November 23 for key SEC playoff boost

Right now Smart’s Dawgs are at 6-2. Yes, things would have been easier for Georgia, had not Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama Crimson Tide been at 6-2. But not to worry Georgia fans, Alabama staff writer, Mike Rodak brings out the scenario that would allow Smart to be over Alabama in the SEC championship. In that they case they would have to count on Jeff Lebby and Mississippi State. So all eyes are now on November 23, as the analyst tweeted, “It would require Mississippi State upsetting Missouri next week, for starters.” So what’s the calculation?

Well, it is pretty simple. The only direct route for Eliah Drinkwitz’s Tigers to the CFP is to win the SEC title, which would require them to end in the top two. But wouldn’t Mississippi State winning make things difficult for Georgia? Not at all, since they are already out of the race. Georgia now holds a 46% chance of making it to the SEC championship. They already have overcome their first step beating the Tennessee Volunteers 31-17 on November 16. Now other than the Mississippi State vs. Missouri narrative, what are the other prospects for Smart and Co. to make it to the SEC? 

Kirby Smart puts faith in fate

As they are neck-to-neck with the Crimson Tide and LSU Tigers, they both need to lose one game each. Right now, DeBoer’s army holds the tiebreaker over the Bulldogs, since they were able to defeat Georgia. In that case, Smart is now praying for a third loss for Alabama. However, their schedule does not look quite of a problem. 

Their final two SEC games are against Oklahoma and Auburn and Bama is likely to grab a win on both occasions. Not know about Auburn, however, the Sooners have about an 18% chance to win the match-up against Alabama. Does that mean that DeBoer’s boys wound hand the keys to Smart’s program by losing to finish 5-3 in the SEC? Well, the Georgia HC seems to be running low on energy. 

On November 15, Kirby Smart appeared on the Pat McAfee Show. When asked about his thoughts on his program’s schedule, he shared how he has surrendered everything on his fate, “Well, I have to, I mean we look at it each week. We say, ‘Where are we? and what are we doing to do better?’ But that’s one of those things that’s also out of our control.” Georgia’s SEC destiny is now in the grip of its rivals, leaving Kirby Smart with his hands tied.

Meanwhile, if you want to get some quick updates on the NFL, you can check out the latest episode of the Think Tank podcast.