Georgia vs Alabama recent history: Both Bulldogs losses since 2021 have come to Crimson Tide

Alabama football hasn't won a national championship since 2024 – unusual for its standards – but it has, however, dominated one of college football's most successful programs in recent memory.

The No. 4 Crimson Tide (3-0) are set to face No. 1 Georgia (3-0, 1-0 SEC) on Saturday at home, continuing the recent rivalry between two of the sport's best programs. The matchup between Alabama and Georgia has also had important College Football Playoff and national championship implications in nearly every face off since Kirby Smart took over the Bulldogs in 2016 after a successful run as the Crimson Tide's defensive coordinator.

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The two programs share striking similarities, as Smart trained to be a head coach under former Alabama coach Nick Saban, who retired after the 2023 season. Saban certainly has had his pupil's number, despite Georgia's success.

Overall, Alabama has won five of six contests against Georgia under Smart's tutelage, with the one loss coming in the 2021 national championship. The Crimson Tide are also the only team to beat the Bulldogs since the 2021 season.

Here's a look at the Crimson Tide's dominance over Georgia, which first-year coach Kalen DeBoer will look to replicate in his first matchup against the Bulldogs:

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Alabama football record vs Georgia

Alabama has had Georgia's number in recent years, as the Crimson Tide hold an 8-2 record against the Bulldogs since 2007, including a 5-1 record against Georgia under Smart's tenure.

Alabama is also the only team to beat the Bulldogs since 2021, with Georgia's only two losses in the last four seasons coming against the Crimson Tide in the 2021 and 2023 SEC Championship.

Of course, those matchups all came under Saban, the legendary coach with seven all-time national championships, six of which came at Alabama. Now, DeBoer hopes to continue Saban's run of strong play against the Bulldogs and might even look to the now-ESPN analyst for advice on the matchup.

Here's a look at Alabama's wins against Georgia under Smart:

• 2018: Alabama 26, Georgia 23
• 2018 (SEC Championship): Alabama 35, Georgia 28
• 2020: Alabama 41, Georgia 24
• 2021 (SEC Championship): Alabama 41, Georgia 24
• 2022 (national championship): Georgia 33, Alabama 18
• 2023 (SEC Championship): Alabama 27, Georgia 24

Alabama vs Georgia championships

The Crimson Tide's last three matchups with the Bulldogs have been for a trophy, with the 2021 and 2023 games for the SEC Championship and the 2022 game for the national championship.

Last season, Alabama spoiled No. 1 Georgia's national championship by beating the undefeated Bulldogs 27-24 in the SEC Championship, knocking Georgia out of the College Football Playoff. In 2022, Smart beat Saban for the first time for the national championship, 33-18.

The year prior in 2021, the Crimson Tide beat Georgia 41-24 in the SEC Championship, however, the Bulldogs were able to still make the CFP before winning the national championship.

While Georgia hasn't had success over Alabama in recent seasons, its lone win over Saban and the Crimson Tide being for the national championship certainly mitigates the blunders it has had against Alabama.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Georgia vs Alabama recent history: Both Bulldogs losses since 2021 have come to Crimson Tide