In the wake of Alabama’s ultra-dramatic 41-34 win over Georgia in Week 5, two-time national champion head coach Urban Meyer has declared the game to have delivered the “coach of the year moment” in college football.
Interestingly, the “coach of the year moment” didn’t come from the winning side.
Meyer, known for his candid opinions, made it clear that Georgia head coach Kirby Smart’s leadership during the Bulldogs’ near-comeback left a lasting impression on him.
Alabama, led by the impressive Kalen DeBoer, entered the highly anticipated rematch of the 2023 SEC Championship Game ranked No. 4, while Kirby Smart’s No. 2 Bulldogs looked to extend their 42-game regular-season win streak.
The atmosphere in Tuscaloosa was electric, with the clash between two undefeated SEC powerhouses captivating college football fans across the nation.
The showdown didn’t just live up to the hype – it exceeded it.
The game seemed to be a one-sided affair by halftime, as Alabama stormed to a 30-7 lead, powered by quarterback Jalen Milroe’s four touchdowns.
DeBoer’s squad appeared unstoppable in his SEC debut, dominating both sides of the ball during the first two quarters.
At the break, it seemed Georgia’s hopes of continuing their winning streak were all but extinguished.
But Georgia, under Smart’s guidance and leadership, was far from defeated. Over the final 30 minutes, the Bulldogs orchestrated a stunning comeback and actually took a momentary lead.
“Kirby Smart, to me, and people are gonna listen to this and say, ‘What is he talking about?’…that might be the coach of the year moment to bring that team back and get their minds right,” Meyer said on The Triple Option podcast.
The second half saw Georgia’s defense clamp down, allowing only one field goal and forcing four Alabama punts. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs’ offense came alive, scoring 27 points to take a 34-33 lead late in the fourth quarter.
Smart’s adjustments and motivational leadership were on full display, as his team showed resilience in a hostile environment where they had been thoroughly outplayed in the first half.
Reflecting on Georgia’s remarkable fightback, Meyer emphasized the difficulty of the situation Smart and his players faced: “You have a bunch of people right now that just got obliterated (in the first half), and they’re not used to that. I mean, they got smoked in a tough environment. They come back and took the lead.”
Georgia’s brief lead was short-lived, however, as Alabama’s 17-year-old true freshman receiver Ryan Williams hauled-in a game-winning 75-yard touchdown just 13 seconds later.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Meyer was adamant that Georgia’s second-half resurgence was a testament to Smart’s coaching.
“That was not a coaching error,” Meyer stated about the decisive Alabama touchdown. “That was just a guy (Williams). So I’m gonna say this again, I think the coaching of the year is what Kirby Smart did in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to get that team back (in the game).”
Although Georgia’s regular-season win streak was snapped, their season is far from over.
The Bulldogs, now ranked No. 5, remain strong contenders for both the College Football Playoff and the SEC championship, with key matchups against No. 2 Texas (Oct. 19), No. 12 Ole Miss (Nov. 9), and No. 4 Tennessee (Nov. 16) still to come.
As the Dawgs proved last Saturday, they remain undoubtedly one of the best teams in the country. I think I speak for us all when I say I hope we get a rematch later in the season.
What are your thoughts on Meyer’s comments? … Do you agree with his take? Or is he getting a little carried away with his high praise for Smart???