The good old ‘Nick Saban dilemma’. When the former legend retired, a huge burden fell on Kirby Smart’s shoulders. With Saban out, Smart was the only next best candidate to take up the “best CFB coach” role. So, naturally, expectations for the Bulldogs and their 2024 season run are sky-high. However, there is just one roadblock Smart still has to get over. With a 1-5 record against Saban’s Crimson Tide, this time around, Smart has to go up against Kalen DeBoer and his revamped version of the Tide. So, is he worried that he has to deal with becoming the next best coach and also defeating the Tide?

Well, Smart ain’t gonna admit it anytime soon. Matt Stahl took to X on September 24th to mention what Kirby Smart had to say regarding the entire ‘two head coach’ drama. “I’m really happy he’s still part of college football because he makes college football better,” Smart had mentioned, subtly dismissing the entire drama. Smart also went on to call Saban “extremely thorough” regarding the former legend’s current role as an analyst on ESPN’s Game Day.

Call it hubris or being aloof. It feels like Smart is playing this entire thing off as if he doesn’t care. Even back on September 19th, Smart had noted that he and the Dawgs had not yet started prepping for their upcoming weekend game against Bama. “We haven’t started on Alabama yet. Were on us right now,” Smart had noted. This, naturally, made fans call out Smart as a liar, and rightfully so.

If Kirby Smart is planning on ignoring Kalen DeBoer and what the Tide can manage to get done, then he is making a big mistake. DeBoer with his QB Jalen Milroe on the lead is dominating the 2024 season. And from what we saw the Bulldogs go through during the Wildcats game, Smart would need a heck lot of prep time if he wants to win against Tide. The entire Wildcats game exposed how weak the Dawgs’ o-line was.

The entire offense was a mess; racking up only 63 yards in the first half of the game, marking the fewest since 2009. If that wasn’t bad enough, QB Carson Beck underperformed like crazy. During the first quarters of the game, Beck failed to complete passes and couldn’t even convert 3rd downs. Yes, there’s no lie that the Wildcats’ front was dominating as ever, but the Bulldogs could’ve done much better. However, the over-hyped offense ain’t the only issue Smart is going to have to deal with.

Injury woes for Kirby Smart

Back on September 3rd, we found out that Bulldogs DL Mykel Williams was out of the run because of a Grade 2 injury. Having missed out on 2 games already because of the knee injury. If Smart is unable to get Williams on the turf against Bama, then the Bulldogs will have a major disadvantage.

Fans had already given Smart cautious advice and asked him to rest up Williams. From what we saw the Dawgs o-line do against the Wildcats, the defense would be the only saving grace if the same happens against the Tide. We did get an update a few hours back that Smart is “hopeful” that Williams will be ready before the September 29th game. However, nothing is set in stone.

2 more players on the defensive line have been given the same “hopeful” remark; Warren Brinson and Jordan Hall. Brinson is recovering from a lower leg injury while Hall is yet to play during the 2024 season (he suffered an offseason injury). While it is true that Kalen Deboer and his boys are also dealing with some injury woes, it ain’t as bad as what Smart has to deal with. Let’s hope both teams are set and ready for the weekend showdown.