A new era under Kalen DeBoer means a new formation for their arch-rivals, the Georgia Bulldogs. The Alabama Crimson Tide has had no issues besting Georgia, especially with Nick Saban. Still, now that Kalen DeBoer is at the helm, Kirby Smart’s team might just have a shot at redeeming themselves and turning the tide around.

Kirby Smart and Nick Saban have battled it out several times since 2015-2023, but unfortunately for the Bulldogs’ HC, he’s always come up short. In the overall six games they’ve both met, Smart has only won 1 game, which occurred in 2022. Kalen DeBoer is expected to step up and ensure that the Alabama Crimson Tide maintains its performance at the same level. Even if his debut season isn’t up to the mark, the least the fans expect from him is a victory against Georgia. Thus, Smart is making all the right maneuvers to ensure this new rivalry begins with his win rather than DeBoer’s.

Kirby Smart and his new tactics to mark the Kalen-Smart rivalry

Introducing the new 12-team college football playoffs is changing every head coach’s mentality. It is becoming more about the durability of the players rather than the team putting its best foot forward in every game. As such, this is the same mentality that Kirby Smart is going to lead with as he prepares to muster up more defense around Carson Beck and his explosive throwing arm.

As per Graham Coffey, the co-founder of Dawgs Central, there is a major new landscape within the Georgia roster. He wrote, “UGA has always looked to create competition under Kirby Smart, but in its first fall camp of the 12-team CFP era there appears to be an even greater focus on competitive depth. Georgia wants to start the year with 45-50 guys who can play snaps with minimal drop off between them.” Thus, this new and revamped shape of the team could either prove to be their biggest weapon against Alabama or be a swing-and-a-miss, depending on how DeBoer molds his squad. As for now, the entire football community awaits September 28, which is when these two giants meet.

Kirby Smart and the players talk about DeBoer and losing to Alabama

It is interesting to note that Smart has only ever managed to win against his former mentor once, during the 2022 National Championship game, when the Bulldogs demolished Alabama by a score of 33-18. With DeBoer taking over the reins now, Smart doesn’t seem too worried about the competition he will face. Additionally, since the coaches have had no prior history together, Smart doesn’t seem to have an opinion of him either.

When asked about his perspective on Kalen DeBoer, Smart said, “Don’t know much about Kalen. Been in a couple of meetings with him in the SEC head coach meetings. Been great to get to know him. Shared some thoughts in those meetings that we all share in our “head coach family.” Seems like a great guy.” But while there’s a lot of room left in their relationship together, Georgia’s OL Tate Ratledge only has his team’s victory on his mind.

During their game in 2023, Alabama secured a close win by a score of 27-24, which ruined Georgia’s chances of potentially facing off against Kalen DeBoer’s Washington Huskies in the playoffs. Regarding the unfortunate matchup, Ratledge said, “I think there was a bad taste in our mouth after last year. Of course there’s things I want to accomplish by myself and I want to see this team accomplish.” Thus, this year is more important to the Bulldogs than ever since they finally have a real shot at beginning their win streak against Alabama, their arch-nemesis in college football.