Kirby Smart record vs. Alabama: Inside Georgia coach's struggles against Crimson Tide

David Suggs

Kirby Smart record vs. Alabama: Inside Georgia coach's struggles against Crimson Tide image

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Kirby Smart's tenure with the Georgia Bulldogs has been filled with gold and glamor. The Bulldogs have scaled college football's mountaintop multiple times in the past decade. They largely have their taskmaster to thank.

Under Smart's tutelage, Georgia has become a buzzsaw. But the Bulldogs ruthless ways don't appear to translate to one notable matchup: their clashes with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Smart's side has suffered its fair share of lumps when jousting with the Tide. How many exactly? Here's what you need to know.

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Kirby Smart record vs. Alabama

Smart is undoubtedly one of the best tacticians in the sport. That reputation appears to elude him when he takes on the Crimson Tide, though. He sports a 2-7 record against Alabama, good for a win rate of 22.2%.

The Tide are Smart's trickiest opponent by far. It's unclear quite why Smart's sides haven't been able to play well against Alabama. The matches have tended to be highly-competitive; five have been decided by a single score.

MORE: Ty Simpson, Kalen DeBoer silence critics in Alabama's win over Georgia

Smart's record isn't the most inspiring. But, as he explained to reporters following his Sept. 27, 2025 defeat to the Tide, he's not "losing sleep" over the results.

"I mean what's everybody else's record against them," Smart queried.  "I don't lose sleep over that. Those games have been championship-caliber games. Even when we play in the regular season, they've been -- I just saw 25 scouts out there -- they're all out there to watch these teams play.

"That's not going to affect me. I'm going to be happy and go-lucky if our team comes back and play well. But we got to get better. And next year won't have anything to do with this year."

Kirby Smart vs. Alabama results 

DATEOPPONENTSRESULT
Jan. 8, 2018vs. No. 4 AlabamaL, 26-23 (OT)
Dec. 1, 2018vs. No. 1 AlabamaL, 35-28
Oct. 17, 2020at No. 2 AlabamaL, 41-24
Dec. 4, 2021vs. No. 3 AlabamaL, 42-24
Jan. 10, 2022vs. No. 1 AlabamaW, 33-18
Dec. 2, 2023vs. No. 8 AlabamaL, 27-24
Sept. 28, 2024vs. No. 4 AlabamaL, 41-34
Sept. 27, 2025vs. No. 17 AlabamaL, 24-21
Dec. 6, 2025vs. No. 9 AlabamaW, 28-7

Kirby Smart record vs. Top-25 teams

Smart has enjoyed plenty of success against top-25 teams. He has a 38-17 (.691)  record against teams ranked in the AP Top 25. Georgia's 38 top-25 wins since the 2016 season are the second-most in the span -- trailing only Alabama, who has 45. Only the Tide and Ohio State have better win rates. In top-25 matchups than the Bulldogs.

BENDER: The truth is Kalen DeBoer will never be far from the hot seat at Alabama

If Smart's games against Alabama were removed from his top-25 wins and losses mark, his win rate in such contests would swell to 78.7%. Talk about a bogey team.

Kirby Smart record at Georgia

Smart has a 116-20 (.853)  mark across 10 seasons in Athens. The Bulldogs' 116 wins during that span are the second-best mark in the nation, while their 85.3% win rate is the third-best. They trail the Crimson Tide in each category, although they are level on titles, having landed two national crowns apiece. Alabama has more College Football Playoff appearances during that time (six to Georgia's four). However, the Bulldogs hold the better record by win percentage.

Kirby Smart coaching record by year

Smart was handed the reins to Georgia's team after Mark Richt was sacked following the 2015 season. He's coached each game for the Bulldogs since landing the gig, leading Georgia to two national titles.

Here's a look at his season-by-season record

YEARWLW*L*
20168544
201713271
201811371
201912271
20208272
202114180
202215080
202313180
202411362
202512181
TOTALS116207012
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