"He doesn’t beat Alabama": Kirby Smart gets served harsh reality check from former Crimson Tide standout over struggles against SEC rivals

Former Alabama Crimson Tide standout Roman Harper criticized Kirby Smart’s 1-6 record against Alabama since becoming Georgia’s coach.

Speaking on the SEC Network, Harper said Smart has consistently failed to beat the Crimson Tide, despite Georgia’s success elsewhere.

“How much does Kirby Smart need to win this game?,” Harper asked. “Because he just hasn’t beaten Alabama. It’s just, overall. He doesn’t beat Alabama.”

Former Prattville, Alabama and pro football player Roman Harper - Source: Imagn

Georgia has lost to Alabama in four high-stakes games in Atlanta, including three SEC Championship games and the 2017 national title game. The lone win came in the 2021 national championship. Georgia has never hosted Alabama under Smart.

That will change in 2025, when Alabama visits Sanford Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff, the SEC announced Wednesday. Harper was a part of the broadcast crew for the announcement and used the moment to press Smart.

A Georgia win will mark a turning point, as another loss will extend the narrative of Smart’s struggles in the SEC’s biggest matchups.

Kirby Smart’s Georgia beat out Alabama to secure Zykie Helton

Kirby Smart responded to Zykie Helton’s commitment with a two-word message:

“Go Dawgs!!”

Helton, a three-star interior offensive lineman, committed to Georgia following his May 30 official visit. He's ranked No. 41 at his position, No. 55 in Georgia, and No. 477 nationally, per On3. Georgia beat out Alabama, Florida State, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Penn State and Auburn.

His commitment gives Georgia 14 pledges in its 2026 class, which ranks No. 2 in the SEC and No. 5 nationally. Helton still plans official visits to Florida State on June 13 and Alabama on June 20, leaving his commitment status fluid.

Smart’s response highlights Georgia’s continued recruiting momentum, particularly in head-to-head battles with Alabama. Georgia opens the 2025 season on Aug. 30, against Marshall Thundering Herd at Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga.

Also Read: "I cannot go without a huge buyout": Kirby Smart gets 100% real about loyalty issues in college football

About the author

Mohammad Asif Ansari is a journalist covering college football and basketball at Sportskeeda. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Technology and brings four years of experience as an NFL and EdTech writer.

While acknowledging the dominance of professional leagues like the NBA and NFL, Asif is drawn to the raw energy and unpredictability of college sports, particularly football and basketball.

Jalen Hurts stands out as Asif's all-time favorite college player, celebrated for his remarkable success on the football field and impressive leadership skills.

In his reporting, Asif seeks to capture the essence of college athletics, delving into the human stories behind the game. From the trials and triumphs of student-athletes to the strategic genius of coaches like Nick Saban, he strives to paint a vivid picture of the college sports landscape.

Asif ensures that his reporting is both informative and ethically sound, meticulously verifying sources and facts to provide readers with reliable and trustworthy content.

When not writing, Asif practices basic MMA, hones his biking skills and expands his language proficiency in Urdu and Arabic.

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Edited by Bhargav