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SEC Football: The similarities between Saban and Smart

By Abbey Giese

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 6: Head Coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide speaks to the media during the College Football Playoff National Championship Media Day at Philips Arena on January 6, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 6: Head Coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide speaks to the media during the College Football Playoff National Championship Media Day at Philips Arena on January 6, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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SEC football - Nick Saban
SEC football - Nick Saban /

National Championship Game

Both Saban and Smart led their teams to the national championship game within three years.

After winning the SEC Championship in 2009, Alabama went on to defeat Texas in the BCS National Championship game in the Rose Bowl stadium. This was Saban’s first national championship win with Alabama, and it was his third season coaching the Crimson Tide.

Alabama has won four national titles and played in a playoff semifinal game for four straight seasons since Saban took over as head coach, and they have been the most dominant team in the SEC. This year will be Alabama’s third straight year to play in the national championship game.

Smart has led his team to the national championship game in just his second season as head coach of the Bulldogs.

While Saban’s first national title game with the Crimson Tide was played in the Rose Bowl stadium, Smart’s first playoff semifinal win was in the Rose Bowl. Georgia defeated Oklahoma 54-48 in double overtime.

Much like his former boss, Smart has quickly built a program that is completely dominating their division and the conference as a whole. We can probably expect the Bulldogs to make more playoff appearances in future seasons like Alabama and Clemson have over the last few years.

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