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Kirby Smart's Georgia Bulldogs (7-2) will take college football's center stage on Saturday night against rival Tennessee (8-1) in a matchup of epic proportions. And despite the challenge, Smart made time to join ESPN's "College GameDay," featuring his mentor Nick Saban. Smart coached under Saban at Alabama for nine seasons (2007-15).
The Crimson Tide won three SEC championships and four national titles during Smart's run as defensive coordinator. The Georgia graduate returned to his alma mater in 2016 to replace Mark Richt at the helm of the Bulldogs. Smart and company have won two national championships and a pair of SEC titles over the last nine seasons.
It's clear that Smart learned a thing or two about building a college football juggernaut during his time in Tuscaloosa. Jason Getz-Imagn Images Smart and Saban no longer get to battle on the gridiron after the seven-time national champion head coach retired in the offseason. It was all smiles this time when the two met on set in Athens on Saturday morning.
Show host Pat McAfee posed a question about defensive schemes to Smart, who gave some credit to "a really smart guy" whose name he supposedly couldn't remember. Smart's tongue-in-cheek comment was directed to Saban, who was standing just a few feet away. “I learned from a really smart guy” What’s his name.
. “I can’t remember” 😂😂 ~ @KirbySmartUGA #CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.
com/E5M8Trc1WW Smart and Saban appear to have a good relationship despite the SEC battles in which they faced off in the past. Georgia won its first national title this century when it took down Saban and company in 2021. The Tide got the better of the Bulldogs the majority of the matchups, winning five of six games between the two talented head coaches, including last year's SEC championship.
No. 12 Georgia's home game against No. 7 Tennessee holds the weight of a College Football Playoff matchup.
The winner will likely punch a ticket to the postseason while the loser will have to rely on the playoff committee to make the final 12. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
ET (ABC). The Bulldogs are listed as 9.5-point favorites, per ESPN BET .
Related: Kirby Smart Speaks Out After Georgia Plummets in College Football Playoff Rankings.
