David Pollack reacts to Georgia losing to Alabama: 'They earned it'

David Pollack had to watch his beloved Georgia Bulldogs fall to Alabama for the second straight season. This time it happened in Athens, and that only deepened the sting for the former Bulldog.

Georgia’s Week 5 loss didn’t just mark a setback — it showed how much work remains for Kirby Smart’s team to surpass the Crimson Tide. Even with the disappointment, Pollack didn’t try to make excuses.

Instead, he gave full credit to Alabama for walking into Athens and taking the game: “Bama played really good. They played good. They deserved to win,” Pollack stated, via See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack. “I didn’t cry myself to sleep. … Bama earned the victory. They earned it.”

It’s a sentiment that’s hard to argue. Alabama looked sharp on both sides of the ball, continuing the turnaround from their Week 1 loss. Ty Simpson has steadied the Crimson Tide offense, while Kalen DeBoer has his team playing disciplined, physical football at just the right time.

Pollack’s message was simple: Georgia didn’t lose the game — Alabama won it. Still, not everyone was as forgiving of Smart’s role in the defeat.

ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum used the Bulldogs’ second straight loss to the Crimson Tide to raise serious concerns about Smart’s track record against DeBoer: “Everyone knows who Kirby Smart is, but what we know now after (Saturday’s) game is he’s 0-2 against Kalen DeBoer. And that’s an ugly look,” Finebaum said on The Matt Barrie Show.

“I defended him yesterday with that pro-Georgia crowd and (country singers) Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan saying, ‘You can’t blame Kirby, that was a Nick Saban problem.’ Not any more. Not any more.”

For Finebaum, the story of Alabama’s resurgence is only part of the conversation. He made it clear that Georgia’s own vulnerabilities are just as glaring.

“We’re talking about a guy (DeBoer) who many of us thought was down for the count four weeks ago today, and that’s a real problem,” Finebaum continued. “We know how fortunate Georgia was to get out of Tennessee (with a win). Had they not pulled that game off, their season would already be on the brink. They still have Texas and Ole Miss, they have a lot left to deal with.”

Two of the SEC’s most prominent voices came away from Week 5 with very different takeaways. Pollack chose to highlight Alabama’s growth and grit, while Finebaum zeroed in on Georgia’s shortcomings under Smart.

What’s undeniable is that the Bulldogs’ path doesn’t get easier from here. The next few weeks will be critical in deciding if Georgia can keep its playoff hopes alive.