Kirby Smart’s Defiant Message to Georgia Ahead of Alabama Clash

Over a decade ago, Kirby Smart was hired to be head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs. Since then, Smart has turned Georgia into a national powerhouse. His tenure features back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022, three SEC titles, and four trips to the College Football Playoff. 

However, Smart has made it clear this week that he is not dwelling over the past, but rather, he is focusing on what lies ahead. As On3 reported, “Georgia’s head coach says the hunt is far from over”: 

“I’m just one of those people who’s never going to look at what we’ve done. It’s what can we still do.”

That mindset has been essential in keeping Georgia from getting complacent. Even after reaching the mountaintop with multiple national championships, Smart’s approach ensures the Bulldogs remain motivated, constantly searching for new ways to improve and new goals to chase. 

Many players on Georgia’s current roster weren’t around for the Bulldogs’ 2021 and 2022 national championships, which only heightens their drive to create their own legacy. It ties directly to Smart’s message about looking ahead rather than behind.

This team isn’t content to live off the program’s past glory. With Alabama coming to Athens on Saturday night, the focus is on proving what they can still accomplish, not what’s already been done. 

The Stakes are High vs. Alabama 

In recent years, Alabama has dominated Georgia, winning the last three meetings, including the 2021 and 2023 SEC Championship games, as well as last season’s 41-34 regular season thriller in which the Dawgs almost came back from a huge deficit. Dating back to 2008, Georgia has lost nine of their last 10 games to Alabama. 

Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs enter Saturday night’s showdown determined to flip the script. After facing questions about whether their recent dominance has slipped, Georgia now has the chance to prove that their championship standard is still alive and well. There is no better stage to show it than against Alabama under the primetime lights. 

The Crimson Tide are 2-1 to start the season, but have outscored their opponents 111-14 in their last two games. It looks like they are just starting to hit their best stride after a loss to Florida State in their opener. 

The Bulldogs will need to be at their absolute best as they prepare to take on an Alabama team that’s finding its rhythm at just the right time.

2025 Outlook for Smart and the Bulldogs

The Bulldogs have started the season 3-0, including a really impressive comeback road win against Tennessee. 

Despite their undefeated start to the season, Georgia has shown some glaring weaknesses, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The Bulldogs allowed 41 points to Tennessee, a performance that raised real concerns about their ability to slow down explosive offenses as the schedule toughens.

Throughout Georgia’s run as the premier college football program, Georgia’s defensive dominance has been central to its success. Head coach Kirby Smart attributed the early-season defensive struggles to a lack of quarterback pressure, noting that the Bulldogs have managed just four sacks through their first three games. 

That pass rush will have to improve quickly as Georgia dives deeper into their SEC schedule. The Bulldogs still face tough trips to Auburn, Florida, and Georgia Tech, along with marquee home matchups against Ole Miss and Texas. Each of those games will test whether this defense can tighten up and play to the championship standard that has defined Kirby Smart’s program.

While the last five years have been nothing short of amazing for Georgia, Smart and the Bulldogs know they can’t live in the past. Their focus is on writing the next chapter of success and that chapter begins Saturday night against Alabama.

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