Stephen A. Smith Names Alabama As The Biggest Threat to Georgia

Alabama is gearing up for a new era of football in Tuscaloosa with the loss of legendary head coach Nick Saban, but Stephen A. Smith believes the Crimson Tide will still be elite this fall. "Kalen DeBoer is no scrub," Smith said on First Take on Wednesday.

Smith elaborated that he believes Alabama will pose the biggest threat to Georgia in the SEC this season.

"A two-time national champion came up short, didn't win, didn't have a three-peat. Why did they not have a three-peat? Because they ran into Alabama."

Smith went on to emphasize that Kirby Smart is 1-5 in his career against Alabama and 1-3 since 2020.

On First Take earlier this year, Smith said he believes current Colorado head coach Deion Sanders would be the best choice to replace Saban. He didn't get his wish in that regard, but he pounded the table for DeBoer today.

ESPN's Elle Duncan argued that we don't know if DeBoer can live up to the standard Saban established in Tuscaloosa, but Smith believes the Crimson Tide will be as strong as ever this fall.

Alabama's season begins on August 31 as it hosts Western Kentucky. We'll have our first opportunity to see if DeBoer can uphold the high standard in Tuscaloosa when Georgia comes to town on September 28, seeking revenge for last season's SEC Championship game loss.