According to a Georgia reporter, Kirby Smart is far more worried about Texas than Alabama.
The college football community collectively breathed a sigh of relief upon Nick Saban’s retirement announcement in January, especially from a specific eastern program. Kirby Smart, the former Saban staffer and current head coach of Georgia, missed a chance for a three-peat championship last season when the Crimson Tide defeated the Bulldogs in the SEC Championship.
Now that Saban has stepped down, reports suggest that Smart is directing his attention towards a different SEC threat for success in 2024 – Texas. During an appearance on the Paul Finebaum Show, DawgNation’s Mike Griffith shared insights into Smart’s mindset, noting that Alabama doesn’t occupy much of his thoughts nowadays.
Griffith mentioned that the October 19 game at Texas is a significant concern for Smart. Finebaum brought up Georgia’s Week 4 road trip to Tuscaloosa, but Griffith emphasized that the Longhorns’ talent, coaching continuity, and financial strength have elevated them to the top of Georgia’s worries. Adding a touch of irony, Griffith referred to Alabama as a second-tier SEC team this season.
He highlighted Texas as an impressive threat, given their staff’s stability, a team that beat Alabama last year, and the formidable program built by Steve Sarkisian. According to Griffith, Texas is a real danger to the SEC due to their budget. He suggested that the conversation at the top of the SEC revolves around Texas and Georgia, with teams like Alabama, Tennessee, LSU, Ole Miss, and Missouri considered in the second tier.
The current state of Georgia’s team, under new head coach Kalen DeBoer, presents challenges with significant roster turnover, transfer portal activity, de-commitments, and major staff changes. Despite the difficulties, the upcoming spring football and the reopening of the transfer portal offer DeBoer an opportunity to strengthen the team for a competitive run in the SEC this fall.
