Call it the week of the former Nick Saban assistant coaches bowls. The initial College Football rankings also show the success of former Saban disciples. A pair of big-time SEC matchups during Week 11 of the college football season will feature games between former Saban assistants during his time at Alabama.
Kirby Smart and his No. 2 ranked Georgia Bulldogs take on Lane Kiffin and No. 12 Ole Miss , while Steve Sarkisian and No.
5 Texas take on the Billy Napier-led Florida Gators . The matchup between the Rebels and Bulldogs could have significant implications for the 12-team College Football Playoff . The winner likely pushes itself into a good position for a playoff spot, while the loser will have work to do.
Georgia enters the game with the luxury of one loss, while Ole Miss has two losses. REQUIRED READING: Better to miss conference title game? The CFP bracket scenario SEC, Big Ten teams may favor The Longhorns are in a good spot for a playoff spot, with just one loss coming to Georgia a couple of weeks ago. They will, however, have to hold off the Gators , who have looked like a better team since their bye week and nearly upset the Bulldogs last week.
Napier (wide receivers), Kiffin (offensive coordinator) and Smart (defensive coordinator) were all on the Alabama coaching staff in 2015. Sarkisian joined the staff as an offensive analyst in 2016, but Smart had departed for Georgia. Smart, Sarkisian and Kiffin aren't the only former Saban-Alabama assistants who have succee.
