BREAKING: Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer sends strong to Kirby Smart admitting serious rivalry

Alabama football facing Georgia is nothing new, as the two teams have had numerous high-stakes matchups over the past decade. However, this year’s game has a different vibe with Kalen DeBoer now at the helm of the Crimson Tide. It’s no longer a showdown between Georgia coach Kirby Smart and his former boss, Nick Saban. Instead, Smart will face a new Alabama under DeBoer’s leadership.

Though DeBoer has never coached against Smart before, that will change when No. 4 Alabama takes on No. 1/2 Georgia on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Bryant-Denny Stadium (6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN). During the SEC coaches teleconference, DeBoer emphasized that while there’s no personal history between them, the game will be a significant test.

“This is our first conference game,” DeBoer said. “It’s against a top-ranked team that brings it every Saturday, and is extremely well-coached. We know it’s going to be a great test for us. I certainly understand everything Coach Smart has done for this program throughout the many years he helped it grow.”

Although DeBoer hasn’t faced Smart on the field, he’s familiar with his work and has gotten to know him through offseason coaches meetings. “You see from afar what he’s accomplished, not just at Georgia but throughout his career, and it’s been very impressive,” DeBoer remarked.

Both Alabama and Georgia are coming off road victories, with Alabama having dominated Wisconsin and Georgia edging out Kentucky. Both teams will have an open weekend before their highly anticipated showdown.