It’s not the “Game of the Century,” but it is the Game of September.
No. 1 Georgia at No. 4 Alabama.
These programs combined to win three of the past four national championships. They met in the SEC Championship last season. In 2021, they met in the SEC Championship and again in the national championship.
This is Kirby Smart’s latest opportunity to prove he rules college football in the absence of Nick Saban.
It’s Kalen DeBoer’s chance to show that the Alabama job is not too big for him, that the Tide selected the proper heir to Saban.
One team, Georgia, hasn’t surrendered a touchdown all season, while the other, Alabama, hung 42 points its last time out against Wisconsin.
Neither team played last Saturday, providing ample time for Smart and DeBoer to engage in a chess match.
Oh, and each team arms itself with a quarterback who ranks among the frontrunners for the Heisman Trophy.
On this edition of “SEC Football Unfiltered,” a podcast from the USA TODAY Network, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams preview Saturday’s clash of titans in Tuscaloosa.
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Among the topics of conversation:
Is this game more important for Kalen DeBoer or Kirby Smart?
Adams: It’s more important for Kalen DeBoer.
Smart’s reputation is secure. He’s a two-time national champion. He’s had the best program in college football throughout the previous three seasons. A loss would knock Georgia off its perch and make its path to the playoff a little touch-and-go, but it won’t change that Smart is a premier recruiter, motivator and tactician.
ADAMS: Tennessee football is more than a playoff contender after turning back Oklahoma
TOPPMEYER: Blame Hugh Freeze for this ‘miserable’ display of Auburn football
If DeBoer loses (especially if it’s lopsided), Alabama fans will reach for the panic button and fear that the Tide screwed up this hire. If Alabama loses, no Tide fan is going to care about DeBoer’s record at Washington, Fresno State or Sioux Falls. Saban spoiled Alabama fans. They got fat off his success, and now they expect nothing short of uninterrupted feasts of greatness. They expect DeBoer to deliver.
Toppmeyer: It’s more important for Kirby Smart.
DeBoer’s honeymoon period would end with a loss, but one result wouldn’t wreck his debut season. Alabama would retain an opportunity to make the playoff, and a playoff appearance in DeBoer’s first season would meet the bar for success before expectations ratchet up in Year 2.
For Smart, though, a loss would indicate he’s relinquished the SEC throne he inherited after Saban retired. Smart hoisted the bar so high the past few seasons that any loss, no matter the opponent, no matter the location, is deemed unacceptable. And it would raise questions about whether the program’s off-field shenanigans are affecting on-field performance.
Further, would heighten stress about Georgia’s playoff chances. The Bulldogs’ schedule is a minefield featuring games at Texas and Ole Miss and a home game against Tennessee. Those aren’t just three of the best teams in the SEC. They’re three of the best teams in college football. A loss to Alabama would mean Georgia’s playoff hopes are anything but secure and turn its Oct. 19 game in Austin, Texas, into a crucial contest.
Later in the episode
∎ How Josh Heupel matured as a coach and built Tennessee into a national championship contender.
∎ What’s wrong with Hugh Freeze? Auburn looks a mess on offense behind its second-year coach, a former guru.
Week 5 picks!
Picks against the spread:
Oklahoma (-2.5) at Auburn
Toppmeyer: Auburn; Adams: Oklahoma
Arkansas at Texas A&M (-3.5)
Toppmeyer: Arkansas; Adams: Texas A&M
Kentucky at Ole Miss (-17.5)
Toppmeyer: Ole Miss; Adams: Ole Miss
Georgia (-2.5) at Alabama
Toppmeyer: Alabama; Adams: Alabama
Lock of the week
Toppmeyer: Washington at Rutgers (-2.5); Adams: Eastern Michigan (-14.5) at Kent State
Season records
Toppmeyer: 16-5 (5-1 last week); Adams: 12-9 (3-2 last week).
Where to listen to SEC Football Unfiltered
Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s national college football columnist. John Adams is the senior sports columnist for the Knoxville News Sentinel. Subscribe to the SEC Football Unfiltered podcast, and check out the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alabama vs. Georgia: Who needs win more, Kalen DeBoer or Kirby Smart?
