Kirby Smart is the first to tell you that Alabama “did an outstanding job of jumping all over” Georgia last season under first-year coach Kalen DeBoer. The Crimson Tide defeated Georgia at Bryant-Denny Stadium 41-34 last year. Now, the Bulldogs host Alabama. Smart talked about that Tuesday in Atlanta during Day 2 of SEC Media Days.

A game in which Mark Richt was the head coach at Georgia, the 2025 version of the Alabama vs. Georgia matchup however will be the very first in Athens of the Kirby Smart era, which began back in 2016, while also Kalen DeBoer's first-ever trip to Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium.

Kirby Smart Talks Battle Against Alabama originally appeared on Athlon Sports. SEC Media Days continue at the College Football Hall of Fame and Omni Hotel in Atlanta, with the event wrapping up Thursday. On Tuesday, Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart spoke with the media and offered some honest thoughts about a key game on the 2025 schedule.

Kirby Smart in entering his 10th season as head football coach at Georgia, but he drew on his nine seasons on the Alabama staff when talking about how the game has changed in recent years.

Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer needs the rumor of Nick Saban returning to coaching like a drowned man needs a drink. Hugh Freeze needs it even less.

Kirby Smart revealed he has a lot of respect for Kalen DeBoer at Alabama. The Georgia coach was pressed to evaluate how the Crimson Tide coach has done going into Year 2 of his tenure. At this point,