GEORGIA’S SMART grows weary of Bama backup QBs.

HOOVER, Ala. — Georgia Coach Kirby Smart was asked at SEC media days what it would take to get over the hump and beat Alabama in big games.

The Bulldogs blew second-half leads in falling to the Crimson Tide in both the College Football Playoff national championship game after the 2017 season and the 2018 SEC Championship Game. On both occasions, Alabama Coach Nick Saban inserted a backup quarterback to spearhead the rally.

In the CFP championship game, Tua Tagovailoa replaced an ineffective Jalen Hurts in the second half and rallied Alabama from a 13-0 deficit to a 2623 victory in overtime. Last year, Tagovailoa was injured in the second half and Hurts came off the bench to spark a 35-28 comeback victory.

“Yeah, get rid of their backup quarterback. That’s part of the plan,” Smart replied, tongue in cheek.

Former Alabama tailback Damien Harris, now with the New England Patriots, played along with the gag. He wrote on his Twitter account, “Y’all better stay away from my son” and tagged reserve quarterback Mac Jones’ Twitter handle.

Hastings mended

Will Hastings, listed at 5-10 and 174 pounds, is not physically imposing.

“He looks like he’s about 13 years old,” Auburn Coach Gus Malzahn said. “If you ever see him, you wouldn’t think he’s an SEC player.”

But Hastings, a senior from Little Rock, figures to be a key part of the offense after redshirting in 2018 because of a knee injury.

Hastings had 26 catches for 525 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2017.

“Last year, not having him, it really hurt us,” Malzahn said. “Will can get open versus anybody covering him in a man-toman situation.”

Hastings, who is now on scholarship, came to Auburn from Pulaski Academy as a walk-on.

Don’t be a bum

University of Arkansas Coach Chad Morris said recruiting has to be on point for the Razorbacks to emerge as a contender in the SEC.

“We gotta continue to recruit every day,” Morris said. “It’s like shaving. If you don’t do it every day … you look like a bum.”