Rematch in Atlanta inevitable
Alabama, Georgia eye conference title first
ATLANTA — Nick Saban and Kirby Smart posed stiffly behind the trophy, forcing smiles for the cameras.
Saban whispered something in his former assistant’s ear, drawing a a chuckle.
Then, a quick handshake, and off they went in opposite directions.
It was a formality that had to wait until the final day of November. But, really, they could’ve done it months ago.
As soon as Alabama and Georgia walked off the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium 11 months ago — the Crimson Tide in triumph, the Bulldogs in despair — a rematch seemed inevitable. Now, it’s here.
Saturday, at the very same place where the Tide captured the fifth national title under Saban, these two powerhouses will square off in another game with huge ramifications.
A Southeastern Conference championship is on the line, as well as a trip to the College Football Playoff.
“We certainly want to win every game that we play,” said Saban, who is trying to guide the No. 1 Crimson Tide (12-0, 8-0 SEC) to its sixth national title in the past decade — perhaps the greatest dynasty that college football has ever seen.
Fourth-ranked Georgia (11-1, 7-1) is eager to start a dynasty of its own.
Smart, a longtime assistant under Saban who moved to Georgia in 2016, already has shown he can go head-to-head with his ex-boss on the recruiting trail.
Now, Smart is eager to prevail on the field. He certainly came close the previous time these teams met, watching his team squander two 13-point leads before Alabama won, 26-23, in overtime on a 41yard touchdown pass.
“We obviously have our challenges to try to continue to play at the standard that we’ve played at,” Saban said.
Despite all the titles, Alabama never seems to waver from the single-minded focus of its coach. As soon as the Tide wins a national title, it starts looking toward the next one.
“We’ve been here before,” nose guard Quinnen Williams said. “Everybody knows when it’s time to come to work.”
The Bulldogs made an unexpected run to the national title game last season, but this is right where they expected to be in 2018. “Last year was a shocker,” linebacker Juwan Taylor said, “but this is what it’s going to be like at Georgia from now on. Championships.”