Paul Finebaum evaluates if Kirby Smart is over his Alabama hump after SEC Championship

Kirby Smart entered last weekend with one of the more lopsided hurdles in college football hanging over his head. The Georgia leader had amassed a 1–7 record against Alabama and years of heartbreak were tied to the Crimson Tide. 

However, Georgia’s dominant 28–7 win in the SEC Championship, securing a second straight conference title, effectively purged his demons. Paul Finebaum believes that narrative is now officially dead.

Appearing on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, Finebaum said Smart’s performance against Alabama wasn’t just a breakthrough, it was a statement. “He’s over it. I think when you put on a clinic like Georgia did the other day, you get over that,” Finebaum said. “The next time they play, everything that was said going into the game will no longer be relevant.”

Alas, Georgia’s win snapped a long psychological barrier that had hung over Smart since he took over in Athens. No matter how many titles, recruiting victories or playoff runs he stacked, Alabama remained the one opponent he consistently couldn’t solve. That is, until this weekend.

Finebaum added that the conversation has now flipped, placing new pressure elsewhere for the Crimson Tide. “Unfortunately for Alabama, the reverse is now going to be mentioned, in terms of Kalen DeBoer not being 2-0 or about to be 3-0 against Kirby Smart, but is he going to be 0-3 against Brent Venables? So that’s a little more important,” Finebaum noted.

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All told, Georgia eyeing another deep postseason push. Finebaum believes Smart has moved far beyond the weight of past matchups with the Crimson Tide: For Kirby Smart, he’s long past this,” he stated. 

For the Bulldogs, Saturday wasn’t just another SEC title. It was the moment their head coach finally buried the one narrative critics held onto. Based on Finebaum’s assessment, that storyline won’t be resurfacing anytime soon.

Meanwhile, as Finebaum mentioned, DeBoer has a new problem. He’s yet to beat the aforementioned Venables since Oklahoma moved to the SEC. Two losses in two seasons for the Crimson Tide.

Now, they’ll face each other on their biggest stage yet. Alabama is matched up with the Sooners in the First Round of the CFP. If DeBoer can’t slay his latest demon, then the Crimson Tide’s season will come to an unceremonious end.

As Smart recognizes, it’s all easier said than done. Time will tell who’s victorious, but the Bulldogs are already onto the next round due to securing a bye week, something Alabama could’ve potentially achieved if only they won the SEC Championship last weekend.