Georgia Bulldogs Lose Narrowly to Alabama, Fan Criticism Mounts Against Coach Kirby Smart

The Georgia Bulldogs suffered a narrow 24-21 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide, marking their first home defeat since 2019 and snapping a 33-game home winning streak. Head coach Kirby Smart faced significant criticism for his game management, particularly his decision to go for a fourth-and-one conversion at Alabama's eight-yard line instead of attempting a tying field goal, a choice many fans and analysts deemed a costly mistake. Despite a strong defensive effort in the second half, Georgia's offense struggled to maintain momentum, and the Bulldogs allowed Alabama to convert 13 of 19 third downs, which was uncharacteristic under Smart's tenure. Smart, now 1-7 against Alabama, dismissed concerns about his record against the Crimson Tide, emphasizing the high caliber of their matchups and focusing instead on improving his team's performance. Critics, including ESPN's Matt Barrie and SEC Network's Paul Finebaum, have placed the blame squarely on Smart for the loss, noting his 0-2 record against Alabama's second-year head coach Kalen DeBoer as a particularly negative mark. The defeat has fueled calls from fans on social media for Smart's dismissal, highlighting frustrations over missed opportunities and questionable coaching decisions during the game.