Kirby Smart reveals emotion of team following SEC title loss

Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs failed to overcome their biggest obstacle to end the season. In the SEC championship game, the Bulldogs came up short again against the Alabama Crimson Tide, losing 41-24. Alabama continues to be the one demon Georgia football fails to exorcise year in and year out. And after their lives on Saturday, Smart revealed the emotional well-being of his team afterward.

Although Georgia lost convincingly to Alabama in the SEC championship game, the Bulldogs were still named one of the top four teams in the nation, granting them a bid to play in the College Football Playoff. ESPN’s College Football Playoff crew got the opportunity to interview coach Smart after his team was named to the playoffs. And that is when the Georgia head coach opened up about their emotions surrounding the loss in the SEC championship game.

Kirby on bouncing back: “You accomplish it with great leadership. Sitting here listening to Jim [Harbaugh] speak about his team, it’s so ironic that I feel like our leadership is as good as it’s ever been. To see those men in that locker room last night after the game gave me great confidence of what will go on over the next four weeks. There was a lot of hurt. There was a lot of pain, a lot of guys reaching out last night and fired up and ready to go to work. And that’s what we need to do,” said Smart.

Kirby Smart understands his history vs. Nick Saban

Kirby Smart has taken the Georgia Bulldogs to the top of the college football world. However, two things have eluded Smart — a national championship, and a victory over Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide.

On paper, it certainly appears like this is the year Smart’s star-studded defense can stifle Bryce Young and an offense that has shown vulnerability, especially against Auburn last week in the Iron Bowl.

While Kirby Smart wasn’t going to relive all of the heartbreak from the past as Georgia prepares for the opportunity to knock Alabama out of College Football Playoff contention, he made a point to mention the task ahead.

“I know Alabama well. Really good football program. Coach has done a great job over there. We’ve got a lot of respect for their team and the way they play and the style of play.”

College football fans are in for a treat when Saturday’s SEC Championship rolls around. So much history with so much at stake, it’s certainly going to be one for the ages.