🏈 Pre-game: Alabama to face UGA in National Title game

[RTB X Bot]

 

[Joseph Goodman | jgoodman@al.com]

Georgia coach Kirby Smart: Alabama not as unbeatable

Kirby Smart's Georgia plays Alabama on Monday in Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the College Football Playoff national championship.



Georgia coach Kirby Smart knows Alabama better than anybody, and on Saturday he suggested the Crimson Tide is more beatable now than they've been in the past.

Smart's Georgia plays Alabama on Monday in Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the College Football Playoff national championship. A longtime defensive assistant for Nick Saban at Alabama, Smart is in his second season with the Bulldogs. Asked if the Southeastern Conference was too lopsided this season, he said, in his opinion, the opposite is true and that "Alabama is not as unbeatable as they've been" because other teams have improved.

Saturday is Media Day of the College Football Playoff national championship. Arguments about the strength of the SEC aside, Smart's characterization of Alabama is interesting rhetorical fodder with the the national championship game only two days away. Both Alabama (12-1) and Georgia (13-1) lost to Auburn this season. Georgia then defeated Auburn in the SEC championship game.

Asked a follow-up question about his perspective of Alabama, and where Alabama might be vulnerable, Smart clarified his statement and said, "I don't know that they are vulnerable. I think everyone else has gotten better. I don't think it's like Alabama has come down to anybody's level. I think the league is trying to catch up with them."

Alabama defeated Clemson 24-6 in the Sugar Bowl semifinal of the College Football Playoff. Georgia survived Oklahoma 54-48 in double overtime.

"When everyone is coming in and taking your coaches, and taking your quality control guys and taking every assistant you -- you think about -- there is almost someone from Alabama on every single staff in our conference," Smart said. "So that gap ... and I'm learning that now ... you've got to find people to replace the people."

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[Alabama17Tide]

ATLANTA — Alabama participated in it’s first practice inside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium Saturday in preparation for Monday night’s national championship game against Georgia. Players were dressed in shorts and shells for the workout.

Here are a few notes from the media viewing period:

— Minkah Fitzpatrick was limited, not participating in any of the contact drills during practice. He is no longer wearing a hamstring-support strip and looks to be moving well. However, he was not in a black jersey. Earlier today, he confirmed that he has a kidney injury but said he will play against Georgia.

— Offensive lineman Lester Cotton (leg), who was ruled out earlier today, was seen wearing street clothes during practice.

— Linebacker Dylan Moses (foot) and tight end Miller Forristall (ACL) were both riding stationary bikes while wearing black jerseys.

— Defensive back Trevon Diggs has a brace on his left leg. He was not in a black jersey and did not appear to be limited.

— With outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings (knee) out for Monday night’s game, some have questioned whether or not freshman La’Bryan Ray would take his spot on defense. Saturday, Ray was working with the defensive ends.

— Christian Miller led the outside linebackers and was followed by Jamey Mosley and Terrell Lewis. Expect both Miller and Lewis to see plenty of playing time against Georgia.

Saturday Practice Report | BamaInsider.com

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

TenBears tells me this Terrell Lewis guy is going to have a huge game for The King. We'll see.

 

[CmnRef]

TenBears tells me this Terrell Lewis guy is going to have a huge game for The King. We'll see.

He will endeavor to persevere but declare war after reflection

 

[planomateo]

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

Jerseys on...

 

[Tidestalker]

You guys remember what a difference Evans made in that first Clemson game?! He was like the only guy that could track down Watson by the 4th quarter. And the main reason was that he was fresh! I seriously hope we use rotations early tomorrow night at all positions possible... RB's, pass rushers, and DL need to have all juice possible in the 4th quarter. Don't think there's any rotation possible right now for the ILB's, so hopefully Mack and Evans are as healthy as possible. Wish we had 1 more dude, but it is what it is.

RTR