If the Kentucky game coming up on the schedule does not do it for you, check out what Nick Saban said about Kirby Smart. Surely, that will lift your spirits heading into October, Dawg Nation. Even though Saban's former employer of Alabama continues to own Smart's alma mater of Georgia, Smart is still in fact Saban's greatest college football coaching protege. He even got the best of him once!
During an appearance on the Monday Morning Quarterback Club in Birmingham, Saban spoke glowingly about the Georgia head coach, firmly recognizing Smart is the best in the business today. Smart learned from the best in Saban, while putting his own spin on it in Athens. There are things he does better than his former boss and vice versa. However, this team is not going down without a fight.
As we turn the page to Kentucky week, Saban gave praise to Smart where it was due and justified.
Nick Saban says all the right things when it comes to Kirby Smart
When asked about Smart's struggles vs. Alabama, Saban did not see too much into that discussion.
"I think you ought to ask Kirby that. I'm not here to judge Kirby. Kirby does a great job. They got a great team. I think they're going to be a contender in the end, too."
The biggest thing he said came next by saying he fully expects for Georgia to be making it to Atlanta.
"I think that the ball didn't bounce their way this time, but if I was anybody in the SEC, I would be thinking that maybe I might have to play Georgia in the SEC championship game, because I think they got a really good team."
Georgia is still probably a playoff team, but this has yet to look like the preeminent team in the SEC.
Saban on what Kirby Smart needs to do to improve 1-7 record against Alabama: "I think you ought to ask Kirby that. I'm not here to judge Kirby. Kirby does a great job. They got a great team. I think they're going to be a contender in the end, too." https://t.co/Dwe11tXXDv
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) September 29, 2025
Georgia has home dates vs. Ole Miss and Texas, and road ones at Mississippi State and Georgia Tech.
Why Nick Saban is 100 percent right in his judgement about Kirby Smart
One of the most admirable parts about the Georgia program under Smart's direction is how the team seems to give its best when its backs are against the wall. This team has played way too many close games of late, ones that often need to go into an additional period at the end of regulation. It will matter for them moving forward. More importantly, a first loss of the year may help them be locked in.
It is so hard in this day and age to win every game one plays in college football. Last year's national champion Ohio State went 10-2 during the regular season and dropped a pair of conference games. The Buckeyes did not even get to play for a Big Ten championship. They were the No. 8 seed in last year's College Football Playoff field before running the gauntlet to its latest national championship.
Where this may be to Georgia's advantage is getting the first loss out of the way, they can hone in on what makes this team potentially special and go from there. Obviously, there are things this team needs to get better at. The Ole Miss home date does not appear to be for the faint of heart. Should the Dawgs win the rest of their games, they will make the playoff, and potentially get back to Atlanta.
For now, it is all about gaining some momentum and confidence with a win over Kentucky in Week 6.