What Alabama players think of facing Georgia, Kirby Smart for national title

Nick Saban vs. Kirby Smart.

It's happening six days from now -- two years after they won a national championship together in the desert -- only one can leave Atlanta with hardware Monday.

Alabama vs. Georgia is the all-SEC playoff championship the rest of the country dreaded. In the Interstate-20 corridor, it's a dream scenario.

The built-in storylines are frankly wild. The long-time assistant who spent nine seasons under the legend turns around his alma mater in two years to meet that former employer for the top prize?

Several Alabama players reacted to the matchup between the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs in the locker room after beating Clemson 24-6 in the Sugar Bowl.

"They kind of remind us of us," Alabama cornerback Anthony Averett said of Georgia. "We pretty much play similar to each other so we'll see what happens."

For Calvin Ridley, it's a family thing. His brother, Riley Ridley, is a sophomore receiver for Georgia. But after his four-catch, 39-yard game against Clemson, sibling rivalry wasn't something to discuss.

"I'm not worried about that right now," Calvin Ridley said. "I just want to enjoy the win."

Defensive back Tony Brown played for Smart for two seasons. During a rare interview and memorable meeting with reporters, he didn't dwell on the past when asked his excitement level for a Smart reunion.

"I'm excited about this next game, regardless of who it would have been," Brown said. "Whoever, like a community college, I'm excited for this next game regardless of who it is. The fact that it's Georgia and the fact that it's going to be versus SEC, it's going to be a great game."

http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2018/01/tony_brown_unloads_on_lies_and.html

Brown also downplayed the whole dynamic of Alabama knowing how Smart will coach the game given their familiarity with his tendencies.

"Well he's a coach also," Brown said. "So, even though he's been here, he's going in with that information also. I'm just ready for this game plan, ready to watch Georgia film but I'm really just really excited about this game."

Smart also coached under Saban at LSU for a season in 2004 and another with the Miami Dolphins in 2006. These two are well acquainted.

"It's no surprise to me that his role expanded to be a head coach," Saban said. "But his leadership and hard work -- he's a good football coach, a very bright guy. And he took over a program that has been successful and was actually fairly successful when he took over the program. And he's done a great job of taking it to the next level."

The whole Alabama-Georgia concept was still very fresh in those moments after the big Sugar Bowl win.

Defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt didn't know Georgia won the 54-48, double-overtime classic in the Rose Bowl until a reporter told him walking off the field.

"Really?" he said, interested in the details as they were explained.

It was Pruitt who took over Alabama's defense when Smart took the Georgia job. Pruitt returned to Tuscaloosa after two seasons as the coordinator at ... Georgia.

So, that triangle comes full circle in Pruitt's final Alabama game before taking over full time as Tennessee's head coach.

Averett just smiled when asked about seeing Smart again.

"He was my coach for the first three years I was here," Averett said. "I'm very familiar with him, coach (Mel) Tucker as well. Both of them are very good coaches. I mean, it's another SEC opponent."

Levi Wallace, Alabama's other cornerback, hadn't considered what it'll be like seeing Smart on the other sideline with a Georgia visor instead of his Alabama one.

"I don't know," he said with a grin. "Coach Smart is an amazing coach. It will be good to see him. I haven't seen him since he left. I'll probably give him a hug after the game."

Michael Casagrande is an Alabama beat writer for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande.

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