Alabama Football is Playing With House Money Against Georgia

Despite the expectations remaining lofty for Alabama with Coach Deboer in charge, they are still playing with house money against Georgia on Saturday. Despite Georgia only being a 2 point favorite Vegas feels like they are a better team even on the road. Also, Kirby Smart enters this game with a 1-5 record against the Tide. There seems to be a certain consensus his losses have more to do with Nick Saban being on the other sideline more so than not being able to beat Alabama.

A Georgia loss on Saturday changes the whole discussion about Kirby's overall struggles against the Tide. Also, despite all the Georgia success including back to back National Titles they are unable to escape comparisons to Bama. Kirby would never let it be known, but as a top level competitor that has to eat at you one way or another.

Also, when you hear from a Georgia fan perspective it seems many like to say that Alabama gets special treatment in previous games due to the Nick Saban factor. A loss for Georgia on Saturday completely kills that narrative as you would think based on SEC connections Kirby would get much more favor than the new guy from the north.

Even in the National Championship win in Indianapolis there is still the argument that if Metchie and Williams play that just like in that season's SEC championship game the Tide roll. It seems Georgia is still looking for that win over Alabama that signifies that a change of the guard has actually happened and that they are the new standard.

With it being Kalen Deboer's first season in Tuscaloosa there seems to be a certain grace period if certain things don't go as expected in Year 1.

Moving to the 12 team playoff of course does a lot to ease the angst of a demanding fanbase if the Tide slip up on Saturday night. There will be several other opportunities for the Tide to make a playoff push with games against Mizzou, Tennessee, and LSU on the horizon if things don't go as planned Saturday night.

Honestly, the only way I see more than a normal pressure on this coaching staff after this game would be if Georgia came in and housed the Tide. This is highly unlikely based on the how even these teams appear on paper, but again that is why we play the games. For now Alabama nation needs to relax and let Saturday happen as it may because as of right now everything appears on the up and up with the new look Tide.