News of Alabama’s new edge has traveled beyond Tuscaloosa, and Kirby Smart is among those who’ve taken notice.
“Got an extremely physical football team,” the Georgia coach said of the Crimson Tide.
That description has fit Alabama well this season. Through the early stretch, no opponent has been able to handle the Tide’s physical style for a full 60 minutes, and that point has not been lost on Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack either.
“I think physical has become the identity of this football team,” Wommack said Monday. “I think the way that we are playing right now, the effort that we are giving, the finish, guys finishing capping off tackles across the ball.
We’ve got to continue to lean into that. I built the game plan around our defensive line and knew that with a lot of spread tempo that we were going to have to defend the run with a lighter box, and we were absolutely dominant in that regard.
Great job with our second-level support coming in and finishing as well.”
Georgia, though, is hardly a soft landing spot for that kind of test. Smart’s teams have long carried their own reputation for toughness, and No.
2 Georgia gets a chance to measure itself against No. 6 Alabama on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
When Smart was asked about Alabama’s defensive front, he zeroed in on the added size and power up front.
“They’ve gone and recruited, or however you want to say it, portal, however they go about getting it,” Smart said. “They’ve gotten more size and more strength at the point of attack. Very physical, which Alabama’s always had.”
And Alabama’s punch goes beyond just the trenches. Smart pointed to the full package, including quarterback Keelon Russell, as he sized up what the Tide are bringing into the matchup.
“They’re playing really high level football right now,” Smart said Monday. “Just got to start watching them yesterday.
Just super impressed with both sides of the ball and special teams. Quarterback is playing amazing for them.
The guy is really talented. Fun to watch.
You’ve seen the growth from the first game all the way through. The talent this guy has is pretty incredible.
And they’ve got a really good scheme around him.”
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The latest tab came after cornerback Dijon Lee turned an interception into a touchdown against Mississippi State, another reminder that Alabamas defense has been creating reasons for Wommack to keep reaching for the check. Wommack said he appreciates the staffs hard work and the chance to sit down together, which makes the gesture feel less like a gimmick and more like part of the programs rhythm. [Read more 🡒]
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What makes the scheduling note even more interesting is the jersey arrangement attached to the 2026 and 2027 games, a wrinkle fans will have plenty of time to circle. For now, though, Alabamas attention is on the present, with Georgia coming to Tuscaloosa for a home game that is expected to draw plenty of notable attendees, even as the future date with Tennessee starts to come into focus. [Read more 🡒]
Aden Holloways Return Comes With An Early Alabama Setback
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The suspension stems from marijuana-related felony charges that were later dropped after Holloway completed a second-chance program built around community service, screenings and fines. Alabama athletics director Greg Byrne said Holloway had accepted responsibility and taken steps to move forward, leaving the Tide to plan for a short-handed start before he is eligible to join the rotation. [Read more 🡒]