Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer talks about Georgia and Kirby Smart

Alabama vs. Georgia is nothing new. There have been many high-profile matchups, especially in the last decade. But this year, the game has a new flavor because Kalen DeBoer is now in charge of the Crimson Tide.

It's no longer Georgia coach Kirby Smart versus his former boss Nick Saban. It's Smart versus a new Alabama.

DeBoer has never played against Smart, but will soon face him as coach: No. 4 Alabama faces No. 1/2 Georgia on Saturday, Sept. 28 (6:30 p.m. CT, ABC) at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

“I think the biggest thing is this is our first conference game for us,” DeBoer said on the SEC coaches' conference call Wednesday. “It's against a (ranked) No. 1 opponent. Maybe No. 2, depending on where you look. A highly ranked team that you know will give it their all every Saturday. They'll be extremely well coached. We know it's going to be a big test for us. It's really about the game. There's no history of us competing against each other. I obviously understand everything Coach Smart has done for this program over the many years that he's helped us and our program grow.”

DeBoer is no stranger to college football, so he knows Smart well. And while they haven't coached against each other yet, DeBoer has had the opportunity to get to know Smart a little during offseason coaches' meetings.

“You can see from afar what he's done, not just at Georgia but throughout his career, and it's so impressive,” DeBoer said. “He's just one of those guys that does whatever he can to make the game better.”

Before the two teams face each other, they both have a weekend off. Alabama is coming off a comfortable road win over Wisconsin, while Georgia lasted longer on the road than Kentucky.