Paul Finebaum: “Kirby Smart is under a lot of pressure” against Alabama

Kirby Smart has won a lot of football games at Georgia in recent years, but he famously couldn't beat Alabama.

Smart carries a 1-5 record against the Crimson Tide into tonight's showdown in Tuscaloosa. The Bulldogs have won 49 of their last 51 games, including both losses to Alabama.

But as Paul Finebaum reminded viewers on SEC Nation Saturday, not many people had much success against Nick Saban's Alabama program. With Saban retired and Kalen DeBoer now coaching the Crimson Tide, Smart has a chance to reverse that trend.

The question remains: Does Kirby Smart have an Alabama problem or did he have a Nick Saban problem?

“I think he's going to answer that question tonight because if Georgia loses, they have a serious Alabama problem,” Finebaum said. “I mean, everyone had a Saban problem. Except for one moment in 2014 and 2015, (Hugh) Freeze didn't have a Saban problem – but he had other problems.

“I know Kirby Smart is putting a lot of pressure on him. … When Kirby Smart walks off the field as a loser tonight, we'll start to look at him a little differently. You got the break of your career, you got rid of Nick Saban and you’re still losing to Alabama.”

SEC Nation panel member Tim Tebow pushed back a bit, noting that regardless of Saturday's outcome, Smart is still arguably the best coach in college football and one of the best in the SEC in recent decades. However, Roman Harper noted that some of the luster of Smart's program could be lost if he still fails to beat Alabama.

“I agree with Paul that a shiny toy just isn't as nice the first time it gets dirty,” Harper said. “…Nick Saban is no longer there. Georgia is supposed to be better and Georgia is supposed to be at the top, and no one expected Alabama (for) this transition to go as smoothly as it has.”

Kickoff for Alabama-Georgia is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on ABC.