College football is on the rise and the Georgia Bulldogs will be opposition to the mighty Alabama Crimson Tide. This is not ordinary competition; it is war. For Kirby Smart, this matchup is personal. He was on the other side of the rivalry with Nick Saban, and now, he faces an offensive genius in Kalen DeBoer. The Bulldogs had a good start to the season before their iffy performance against Kentucky. There are some scars from the previous season for Smart as he faces Alabama. Can the fortunes change this season? A latest change in the rankings could be a motivating factor. 

Texas recently moved to the top spot in the rankings after a resounding victory over UTSA, displacing Georgia. While the Bulldogs did struggle, but Kentucky is a strong team. Some analysts have taken note of the ranking change and commented on whether it’s right. Elle Duncan added her insights on The Elle Duncan Show “Look, look how little they respect you. Okay, Texas beat UTSA, and you actually beat an SEC school, and they still don’t think that means anything.” This kind of attitude provides the Bulldogs with the needed motivation to prove their worth on the field.

As per Duncan, “style points matter.”  This is something that needs to be written on the bulletin board. Just a victory doesn’t suffice. A lot of other things matter. Just ask Florida State. They missed the playoffs last year despite going undefeated. On the other hand, Georgia’s season ended in the championship game against Alabama. 

What better motivation than regaining the no. 1 rank in college football. If you can do it against your familiar rivals, a cherry on the cake! Having said that, Kalen DeBoer’s boys are a tough team to break. They proved against Wisconsin that DeBoer is edging towards finding the right balance.

Stakes and expectations: the pressure on Kirby Smart

When the Bulldogs step onto the field in Tuscaloosa, they will not necessarily be playing for victory, they will be playing for recognition as well. Smart’s had the talent and the recruiting classes, but results are what matter. “You can’t keep doing this much longer?” Smart asked Saban last year following a difficult defeat. 

Bulldogs and the Crimson Tide are all set for the game. The two teams are quite accomplished and boast some well-performing individuals. Carson Beck has performed exceptionally well-minus the last game. Offensively, they have been productive, scoring on average 34.7 points for the season, while defensively, they have only conceded 18 so far. On the other hand, the Alabama offense is currently on fire, scoring an average of 49 points per game, and Jalen Milroe is directing the team. Their defense has equally been solid, conceding only 26 points in three games.

For Georgia fans, it is not enough to win – they want to obliterate the opponent. But if Kirby Smart ever fails, recruiting coupled with his reputation will be negatively affected. The pressure to outshine his mentor, Nick Saban, is immense. Smart must maintain his composure when the heat is on. We can’t wait for September 28.  

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