Kirby Smart is on a mission to secure the championship title this year, at least according to On3’s JD Pickell. He has firmly believed in the Georgia Bulldogs’ potential this season. After coming up short in recent years, he’s confident the Bulldogs are headed for an “undefeated season” this time.

Pickell predicts a perfect 12-0 record for the Bulldogs as they march toward the title. But there’s an underdog in the mix.

During the August 10 On3 show, Pickell pointed to Hugh Freeze’s Auburn Tigers as a team to watch. “I think Auburn’s going to start undefeated. I really do, and I think the key thing for us to all keep an eye on as this season unfolds,” he said. Pickell expects Auburn to notch easy wins against their early opponents—Alabama A&M, New Mexico, California, and Arkansas. And for that, “You got to get Peyton Thorne comfortable.”

“We know this dude can run the football. We saw it against Georgia last year in a very real way,” Pickell said, noting the quarterback’s 88 passing yards against Georgia despite a loss. And he believes Thorne’s passing game could be much better this time. He even suggests Auburn could potentially beat the Oklahoma Sooners. “Also, if you want to go and beat Georgia, this is your dress rehearsal. We got to play like a team that’s ready to go play the No. 1 team in America, which Georgia will be at that point in time,” he added.

Amidst all the talk about Georgia and Auburn, one powerhouse seems to be getting overlooked — Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama. In this SEC battle, Alabama is surprisingly downplayed.

Kirby Smart shines in Nick Saban’s absence

The Auburn Tigers won’t face Alabama until their final game of the season, but Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs is the real contender this year. JD Pickell confidently predicts that Georgia will go undefeated and clinch the championship. “For me, when picking this conference, it comes down to three factors—experience, schedule, depth,” he says. Considering these factors, Pickell is convinced the Bulldogs will finish the season with zero losses.

On the other hand, DeBoer’s Alabama, which was a championship contender last year, is predicted by Pickell to finish with a 10-2 record. He expects losses against Georgia and LSU, with “experience” and “depth” being critical reasons for this outcome. Kirby Smart not only has the experience of leading Georgia for nine seasons, but he’s also excelling in recruiting. He’s already secured 23 commits for next year’s class, 61% of whom are in-state players.

Meanwhile, it’s DeBoer’s first season with the Crimson Tide, and he’s stepping into the big shoes of the legendary Nick Saban. This big transition has already raised doubts about Alabama’s performance, and the impact is already seen on the recruiting front. With 21 recruits and only 14% being in-state, it seems Saban’s absence is paving the way for Kirby Smart to become the new GOAT of the SEC.