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Can Kirby Smart, Bulldogs end Nick Saban’s incredible run against former assistants?

Paul Harvey

By Paul Harvey

Published:

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Can Kirby Smart pull off the seemingly impossible when Georgia takes on Alabama in the National Championship Game?

Smart has produced a remarkable season and will lead the Bulldogs into a matchup against Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide. However, going up against Smart’s former boss presents a problem. No former assistant of Saban has managed to get the better of him, and no one has come that close either.

Saban is a stunning 11-0 against his former assistants, and he has won every game by at least 14 points.

Paul Finebaum tweeted out a graphic of Saban’s numbers against his assistants:

It should be noted that the list does contain a combined 8-0 mark against Jim McElwain (both at Colorado State and Florida), Derek Dooley, and Will Muschamp. While Smart certainly looks to be a step above those other coaches, losing to former assistants just has not happened to Saban.

Can Smart and the Bulldogs be the first team to change that?

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.

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