Dating back to 2017 and the dawning of the Kirby Smart dynasty in his second season in Athens, college football’s two most successful programs have been Alabama and Georgia. The Crimson had been on their perch for quite some time, dating to Nick Saban’s second year in Tuscaloosa in 2008 – a dynasty that Smart helped build.

These two programs have met on the biggest of stages, including two national championship games. Alabama has broken Georgia’s hearts, while the Bulldogs’ victory over the Crimson Tide for the 2021 National Championship will forever be at the very top of the program’s all-time greatest moments.

Now these two superpowers meet again, and square off for the first time in Athens since 2015 – Smart’s final campaign as Alabama’s defensive coordinator.

Both teams are coming off open dates. Alabama took down Wisconsin 38-14 in Tuscaloosa to improve to 2-1. Since losing the season opener 31-17 at Florida State, Kalen DeBoer’s team has been crisp, routing Louisiana-Monroe 73-0 before the 24-point victory over the Badgers.

Highlighting Alabama’s victory over Wisconsin was a high-powered passing attack. Quarterback Ty Simpson was brilliant, completing 24-of-29 passes for 382 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. On the season, Simpson has 9 TD passes and no picks. His top target once again was All-American candidate Ryan Williams, who had five catches for 165 yards and two scores, including a 75-yard touchdown. It was Williams who had a spectacular catch and run for a long touchdown late in the fourth quarter last season against Georgia, putting the Tide back on top in their thrilling 41-34 win after the Bulldogs had rallied from a 28-0 first-half deficit to take the lead in the fourth quarter.

That passing combination is likely licking their proverbial chops, as Georgia struggled with the deep ball in an instant classic 44-41 overtime victory at Tennessee. The Volunteers scored on touchdown passes of 72, 14, 56 and 32 yards.

Smart’s gritty Dogs rallied back for a ninth straight win in the series with the Vols, improving to 3-0, and 1-0 in the league. Georgia’s kicking game was strong, the running attack very good (despite having to shuffle the offensive line), and quarterback Gunner Stockton was outstanding in his first road start. Stockton completed 23-of-31 aerials for 304 yards and two touchdowns, including a spectacular game-tying (after the two pointer was converted) fourth down touchdown pass to London Humphries.

The open date has only added to the hype. Ticket prices have skyrocketed on the secondary market. The Bulldogs have won 33 consecutive home games, an SEC record, topping the previous mark of 31 held by Alabama in the Saban era from 2015-2019.