The most anticipated game of the week, and possibly the season, will take place in Tuscaloosa, Alabama this Saturday. Alabama, ranked fourth, will face off against #2 Georgia in a high-stakes SEC showdown. ESPN’s College GameDay will be on site, and all eyes in the college football world will be on this primetime clash. While it’s set to be an exciting game, it will feel odd watching these two powerhouses compete without Nick Saban on the sidelines.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, once an assistant under Saban, eventually surpassed the legendary coach after taking over the Bulldogs. The two have engaged in thrilling battles over the years, but this time, Smart will be facing Kalen DeBoer.
Their final meeting was in last year’s SEC Championship, where Alabama defeated Georgia, knocking them out of College Football Playoff contention. Alabama later fell to Michigan in the CFP semifinal, and Saban retired at the end of the season.
Now, Smart and Georgia are prepared to face an Alabama squad led by a new head coach. Reflecting on the upcoming game, Smart shared his thoughts on playing Alabama without Saban.
“I don’t expect it to feel strange,” Smart said in an interview with On3. “That’s just how things evolve. What feels strange is going back to a place where we lived for nine years, where our kids were born and we had such amazing experiences.”
This Alabama team has a lot of Nick Saban players
Nick Saban is no longer Alabama’s head football coach, but many current players joined the team during his tenure.
“He recruited a lot of them, and they’re talented players,” said Kirby Smart. “Facing a top-tier team like Alabama is always a challenge, but it’s also a tremendous opportunity.”
This is a huge game, and Georgia will need to perform at their best to secure a win in this tough away setting. Although the Bulldogs remain undefeated, there is still plenty of room for growth.
“It hasn’t been flawless, but we’ve shown resiliency, and I’d take that over perfection any day,” Smart added. “Resiliency is a trait I’d trade a lot for.”
Alabama and Georgia are set to kick off at 7:30 PM ET at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with Georgia being two-point favorites. The game will be broadcast on ABC.
