Stephen A. Smith questions Kirby Smart’s standing as Georgia chases CFP return

Stephen A. Smith questions Kirby Smart’s standing as Georgia chases CFP return

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Stephen A. Smith questions Kirby Smart’s standing as Georgia chases CFP return

As the college football season approaches, debates over which teams will make the College Football Playoff only intensify. The race for a playoff berth begins with the first kickoff of Week 0.

Several familiar contenders enter the season with high expectations. Among them are the Georgia Bulldogs, who rank inside the top five of ESPN’s College Football FPI. However, not everyone views Georgia as one of the sport’s elite teams heading into the year.

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Stephen A. Smith recently weighed in on head coach Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs. Not only does he believe Georgia is no longer a favorite, but he also argues that Smart is no longer college football’s top coach.

Apr 18, 2026; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart shown on the field during the Georgia Spring football game at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

“It’s not a crime to look at Kirby Smart and to say, you know what, it’s been about four years since you won a national title,” Smith said on ESPN’s “First Take.” “It is the SEC. You are at the University of Georgia. You’re still recognized as a top-two coach in all of college football. You’re just not recognized as number one.”

The debate over who deserves the title of college football’s best coach remains unsettled. While Curt Cignetti has done a remarkable job at Indiana, it may be too soon to crown him. Instead, the conversation could come down to Ohio State’s Ryan Day and Smart.

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Georgia has an opportunity to reclaim its place atop college football. To Smith’s point, however, this season marks four years since the Bulldogs last won a national championship. Georgia has also suffered earlier-than-expected postseason exits in each of the past two seasons.

Jan 15, 2022; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia coach Kirby Smart kisses the CFP college football playoff national championship trophy during a celebration at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. Mandatory Credit: Joshua L. Jones-USA TODAY Sports via Imagn Images

As the season begins, Georgia trails SEC rival Texas in the conference title odds. However, it is worth noting that the Bulldogs, who have won three of the past four conference titles, have consistently had the upper hand against the Longhorns.

If any team is capable of matching Georgia this season, it is Texas. Head coach Steve Sarkisian enters the year under pressure to deliver and further cement his status among the nation’s top coaches.

Can Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs reestablish themselves as the dominant force in college football in 2026?

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