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).

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Georgia basketball coach Mike White likes the progress his team has made in the offseason, indicates transfers have made seamless transition.

Off-week well-timed for a Georgia offensive line dealing with injuries, youth

Georgia’s next game does not get any easier, as the Bulldogs welcome Alabama to Sanford Stadium on Sept. 27. The Bulldogs are only 1-6 against Alabama under Kirby Smart.

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Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Georgia football gets one notable advantage when it comes its 2025 schedule

Georgia basketball on schedule, transfers maintain program’s ‘winning habits’

Off-week well-timed for a Georgia offensive line dealing with injuries, youth

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