Why Alabama vs. Georgia matters to Kalen DeBoer, Kirby Smart for different reasons

It’s not the “Game of the Century,” but it is the Game of September.

No. 1 Georgia at No. 4 Alabama.

These programs combined to win three of the past four national championships. They met in the SEC Championship last season. In 2021, they met in the SEC Championship and again in the national championship.

This is Kirby Smart’s latest opportunity to prove he rules college football in the absence of Nick Saban.

It’s Kalen DeBoer’s chance to show that the Alabama job is not too big for him, that the Tide selected the proper heir to Saban.

One team, Georgia, hasn’t surrendered a touchdown all season, while the other, Alabama, hung 42 points its last time out against Wisconsin.

Neither team played last Saturday, providing ample time for Smart and DeBoer to engage in a chess match.

Oh, and each team arms itself with a quarterback who ranks among the frontrunners for the Heisman Trophy.

On this edition of “SEC Football Unfiltered,” a podcast from the USA TODAY Network, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams preview Saturday’s clash of titans in Tuscaloosa.

Subscribe to SEC Football Unfiltered
iTunes | Google Play | Spotify

Among the topics of conversation:

Is this game more important for Kalen DeBoer or Kirby Smart?

Adams: It’s more important for Kalen DeBoer.

Smart’s reputation is secure. He’s a two-time national champion. He’s had the best program in college football throughout the previous three seasons. A loss would knock Georgia off its perch and make its path to the playoff a little touch-and-go, but it won’t change that Smart is a premier recruiter, motivator and tactician.

ADAMS: Tennessee football is more than a playoff contender after turning back Oklahoma

TOPPMEYER: Blame Hugh Freeze for this ‘miserable’ display of Auburn football

If DeBoer loses (especially if it’s lopsided), Alabama fans will…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/why-alabama-vs-georgia-matters-150851896.html

Author : The Tuscaloosa News

Publish date : 2024-09-24 15:08:51

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.