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).

Once a character in UGA-Bama rivalry, Chris Conley now tells his own stories

After announcing his retirement from the NFL in June after a 10-year career, Chris Conley is back in Athens, pursuing a master’s degree at the UGA film school.

57m ago

2025 SEC championship: Game time, TV channel, streaming info, odds for UGA-Alabama

The No. 3 Georgia football team will take on the No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide in a Week 15 college football game.

53m ago

Kirby Smart reacts to Vanderbilt’s attempt to boost CFP chances

Georgia coach Kirby Smart shares his thoughts on Vanderbilt’s attempt to schedule an extra game to boost its College Football Playoff chances before rankings.

The Latest