There isn't much else that Kirby Smart can do to add to his legacy. Sure winning more championships doesn't hurt, but he has already done enough to go down as one of the greatest college football head coaches of all time.
But there are things that could occur that would taint his legacy even just a little, and a loss on Saturday would do just that.
2 ways Kirby Smart's legacy would be tainted with a loss to Alabama
Losing to Alabama on paper is never a bad loss. But losing Saturday night would significantly tank Smart's legacy for two big reasons.
It is well documented how much Smart has struggled against Alabama in his tenure. He currently sits at 1-6 against the Crimson Tide and another loss would drop him to 1-7. Smart has accomplished everything the sport has to offer, but another loss to Alabama would remind everyone that there is one thing he can't do, beat the Crimson Tide.
Most of those loses however have come at the hands of Nick Saban. If Georgia fans are being honest with themselves that really isn't all that bad because Saban is the greatest college football coach of all time. But current Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer is nowhere near that conversation.
If Smart and Georgia lose to Alabama that means Smart has fallen to 0-2 against DeBoer since he became Alabama's head coach. And considering Georgia plays at Alabama in 2026, that could easily turn into 0-3.
DeBoer is not a bad coach by any means, but he is nowhere near the level of Smart. So falling to 0-2 agianst DeBoer at Alabama would be worst case scenario for Smart's legacy. This is especially the case because Alabama really hasn't been all that good under him.
So if Smart wants to keep his legacy in tact he needs to win on Saturday because a loss would raise some serious questions about how he should be remembered when he eventually decides to retire one day.