The Alabama vs. Georgia rivalry is nothing new, with many high-stakes matchups over the past decade. However, this year brings a fresh dynamic with Kalen DeBoer now at the helm of the Crimson Tide.
It’s no longer a showdown between Georgia’s Kirby Smart and his former boss, Nick Saban. Instead, Smart will face a new-look Alabama under DeBoer, whom he’s never coached against. On Saturday, Sept. 28, No. 4 Alabama will take on No. 1/2 Georgia at Bryant-Denny Stadium (6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN).
During Wednesday’s SEC coaches teleconference, DeBoer emphasized that this will be their first conference game and noted the high level of competition Georgia brings each week. “It’s really about the game,” DeBoer said. “There isn’t any past history with us competing against each other. I certainly understand everything Coach Smart’s done for this program throughout the many years he put in helping us and our program grow.”
Though DeBoer is new to coaching against Smart, he’s well aware of his reputation, having observed him from afar and met him at offseason coaches meetings. “You see what he’s done, not just at Georgia but throughout his career. It’s been so impressive,” DeBoer said. “He’s one of those who does everything he can to make the game better.”
Both teams are coming off road victories—Alabama’s dominant win over Wisconsin and Georgia’s hard-fought triumph over Kentucky—and will have an open weekend before their showdown.
