Kirby Smart could have been excused late Saturday night if he hadn't felt like waxing poetic about the epic game he just coached.

The Georgia head coach is used to being on the right side of games like Saturday's, but this time Smart was on the wrong side of a pulsating SEC showdown in Tuscaloosa as Alabama defeated the Bulldogs again with a 41-34 victory the heart broke.

Georgia's 44-game regular-season winning streak came to an end, for which Smart is largely responsible, and Smart led the Bulldogs to two national titles. Of course, their attempt to win a third straight championship was thwarted in last season's SEC championship game by who else, Alabama. Back to Saturday's heartbreak, which Smart had a lot to say about afterward.

“Of course, a damn good game. Great atmosphere. Great respect for Alabama's team, its fans and the venue. “It was a hell of a game,” Smart said. “A tale of two halves. Obviously we weren’t really prepared and that’s on me.”

Smart knows the Bulldogs need to undress quickly and prepare for Auburn next Saturday in Athens.

“For us, humility is always a week away,” Smart said. “We have to prepare for another tough opponent to come to us.”

Smart was asked about being 1-6 against Alabama after Saturday's heartbreaker.

“I don't know, what's everyone else's record against them, you know?” Smart said. “Does anyone have one better than 1-6 who has played them six times? I do not believe that. I think they have really good players. They have a great program. I have a lot of respect for them.”

One of those really good players is 17-year-old freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams, who hauled in the 75-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Milroe – another really good player – with just over two minutes left, making the difference in the game made up.

“You've got a quarterback back there who could be the best running back in the country, and he's throwing the ball. You can't put two people on Ryan Williams. “That’s not possible,” said Smart. “You have to make (Milroe) make throws. We've known Ryan for a long time. He came to our house several times. He's such a great boy. He is extremely fast and elusive and has great ball skills.”

These two giants could meet again, in Atlanta for another showdown in the SEC Championship Game or even beyond in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. So Smart might not be done with Alabama for the 2024 season.