Malzahn predicted rematch with Dogs

you in Atlanta” comment.

“I never did,” Smart said, grinning.

When Kirby Smart and Gus Smart recalled that as Malzahn met after Auburn he spoke to the media Frirouted Georgia three weeks day afternoon, perhaps his ago, Malzahn said something most-attended news conferlike this: “We’ll see you in ence since nearly two years Atlanta.” before, when he was intro

Smart responded by smil- duced as coach at Georgia. ing and saying: “I’ll tell Nick Smart was hired to get UGA you said that,” referring to back to this point: on the Alabama’s Nick Saban. brink of an SEC champion

The two coaches ran into ship, with a chance at the each other again Friday, at College Football Playoff. the luncheon to preview This will be Smart’s sevtonight’s SEC Championship enth time as part of the SEC game. They were reminded championship game. He was of that Nov. 11 conversation, there five times as an Alawhen Alabama was the favorbama assistant and once as ite to win the SEC West, but a Georgia assistant (in 2005). Auburn kept its chances alive It’s his first time there as a with a 40-17 thumping of head coach. Smart’s team. Two weeks “The experience in those later Auburn upset Alabama is invaluable,” Smart said. and stamped its ticket. “Just being able to control

“You held up your end of the emotions. Having the kids the bargain,” Smart recalled understand it’s just another telling Malzahn on Friday. game, because if they don’t,

Malzahn asked Smart if he that’s when they make more had told Saban about the “see mistakes.”