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Paul Finebaum: Kirby Smart is under more pressure than Kalen DeBoer in Alabama vs. Georgia

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby: Grant Grubbs6 hours agogrant_grubbs_
Georgia HC Kirby Smart, Alabama HC Kalen DeBoer
John David Mercer | Imagn Images

On Saturday, No. 17 Alabama and No. 5 Georgia will square off inside Sanford Stadium. During an appearance on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum revealed whether he believes Kirby Smart or Kalen DeBoer is under more pressure in the matchup.

“It’s Kirby Smart,” Finebaum said. “Maybe after the game, Kalen DeBoer might be. But, Kirby Smart has to prove to his own fan base that he can get through Alabama. And, that is really a mental issue. I’ve already heard it from ‘Bama fans. I’ve heard it. I know you have. They feel very good about the game. Not so much, maybe, about the matchups, but they just they feel like Georgia is their game.

“And, why not, if you look at recent history? So, I think Kirby does deal with a lot of pressure, probably not as much as he would have had last week in Neyland gone the other way. But I don’t feel as much pressure on the Alabama side right now. I think those last two games in the off-week helped to settle everyone down. Everyone now can acknowledge that Florida State was a much better team than anyone dreamed possible. And maybe that goes down as the outlier as opposed to the norm.”

Kirby Smart hasn’t had the best luck against Alabama since he took over at Georgia in 2016. Smart is 1-6 against the Crimson Tide. Last year was the first time Smart took on Alabama without Nick Saban strolling the opposite sideline.

Nonetheless, he still couldn’t escape with a win, falling 41-34 to Alabama and new head coach Kalen DeBoer. Georgia is 3-0 this season and hungry to exact revenge on the Crimson Tide.

The Bulldogs enjoyed a bye this week after defeating Tennessee 44-41 in overtime in Week 3. Alabama fans panicked after the team’s season-opening loss to Florida State, but have calmed down after watching the Crimson Tide dominate their past two foes.

While Finebaum believes Smart is under more pressure to win on Saturday, DeBoer will certainly be feeling some heat. Many fans called for DeBoer’s job after Alabama’s loss to Florida State. Those critics could rear their heads again if Alabama loses in ugly fashion.

Fans won’t have to wait much longer to see the two college football juggernauts clash. Alabama and Georgia will square off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. The game will air live on ABC.