Will Kirby Smart become the first former assistant to defeat Nick Saban?

The Georgia Bulldogs are pitted as underdogs against the Alabama Crimson Tide in Saturday's SEC Championship (4 p.m., CBS; News 95.5 and AM-750 WSB) in Atlanta.

Larger odds may be stacked against Kirby Smart on becoming the first former assistant to defeat Alabama’s Nick Saban as a head coach.

» More: Alabama-Georgia recent game history

In 13 games against former assistants, Saban is a remarkable 13-0. In those games, Saban teams have outscored opponents an outlandish 498-157.

Before being named Georgia’s head coach before the 2016 season, Smart spent 10 years on a Saban coaching staff at Alabama, LSU and the Miami Dolphins.

Smart is the sixth assistant to come up short against the former boss.

The list of former pupils also includes Derek Dooley (Tennessee), Jim McElwain (Colorado State, Florida), Will Muschamp (Florida), Mark Dantonio (Michigan State), and Jimbo Fisher (Florida State, Texas A&M).

Why Gunner Stockton has shot to be a Heisman Trophy finalist

Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton is tied for fourth in the Heisman Trophy odds, a long shot to win, but a possible top-four finisher and Heisman finalist.

Georgia third among College Football Playoff championship betting favorites

Georgia is third among CFP championship betting favorites behind Ohio State and Indiana.

Kirby Smart gets honest on his time at Georgia on the 10-year anniversary of his hiring

Georgia coach Kirby Smart reminisced on the day he was hired at Georgia 10 years ago and looked ahead to the Sugar Bowl when he met with the media on Sunday.

The Latest

Credit: Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.co

Why Gunner Stockton has shot to be a Heisman Trophy finalist

Georgia third among College Football Playoff championship betting favorites

Kirby Smart gets honest on his time at Georgia on the 10-year anniversary of his hiring

Featured

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

When ICE takes breadwinners, it takes a toll on families ... and on the economy

For immigrant families, brushes with ICE can result in financial precarity that could have implications for the broader economy.

‘I’m a bad kid,’ he told himself. How Georgia’s special ed program failed one child.

Parents find that it's easy to get into the GNETS program, but in some districts, difficult to leave.

‘A lot of blame, but not enough action’: Atlanta leaders lack path to fix jail

Stakeholders across Atlanta and Fulton County grapple with a complex web of issues that contribute to overcrowding, crumbling structure.