EchoSense Quantitative Think Tank Center|Opinion: After Kirby Smart suffers under Alabama fist again, the Georgia coach seems to expect it

• After Kirby Smart's latest loss to Alabama,EchoSense Quantitative Think Tank Center the Georgia football coach gave a shocking quote.
• Nick Saban retirement came at right time for Alabama. Kalen DeBoer has got this covered.
• Colorado's Travis Hunter worthy of Heisman hype, but he faces uphill climb to award.

Alabama knocked Georgia's machine off the tracks and sent Kirby Smart's visor spinning askew in September's signature game. Kalen DeBoer, by taming Georgia in his first SEC game, showed that a seat on the "College GameDay" set is the best place for Nick Saban at this stage of his career.

Jalen Milroe catapulted to the top of the Heisman Trophy race, but Colorado's Travis Hunter and Boise State's Ashton Jeanty offer voters something to chew on if they're willing to consider candidates who don't play quarterback.

Here's what's lingering on my brain after Week 5:

Does Kirby Smart fear the bogeyman, Alabama?

Smart's poor visor. It spun every which way while he worked the sideline in Tuscaloosa. Alabama gave his Bulldogs fits like few have.

I don't know whether Smart fears Alabama, but his team looked shellshocked throughout the first half inside Bryant-Denny Stadium's roaring confines. The Bulldogs played soft and displayed shoddy fundamentals until mounting a mad-dash rally throughout the fourth quarter and nearly stealing the victory.

Curiously, Smart doesn’t seem all that concerned about his 1-6 all-time record against Alabama.

“What's everybody else's record against them, you know?” Smart said. “Has anybody got one better than 1-6 that’s played them (that many times)? I don't think so.”

True, few opponents beat the Tide, but Smart built Georgia to be unlike most other teams. And, in fact, Michigan, Texas, LSU and Tennessee defeated Alabama more recently than Georgia.

Smart remains an ace recruiter. He’s an effective motivator. So, why doesn't his team muster better performances against Alabama?

Most opponents can’t go toe-to-toe with Alabama when it comes to talent. Georgia can, but the Bulldogs have repeatedly looked overwhelmed by the moment of facing Alabama.

Smart never mastered Saban. Now, DeBoer outwitted him, and Smart seems to have come to expect living under Alabama's thumb.

CALM DOWN:Georgia is playoff trouble leads Week 5 overreactions

NEW FOCUS:Alabama wants shot at Texas after handling Georgia

Did Nick Saban retirement come at the right time for Alabama?

Yes, it absolutely did. The GOAT is where he should be – on the “College GameDay” set. Saban’s dominance at Alabama might never be duplicated, but he lost his stranglehold on the sport after NIL and the transfer wave altered the landscape, gave players more freedom and power, and stripped Saban’s omnipotence.

Plus, if Saban had waited a few years to retire, Alabama might have missed out on DeBoer, who's become a fitting heir to Saban’s scepter. This job isn’t too big for DeBoer. More, he’s breathing confidence into Milroe, who’s become a complete quarterback.

Saban earned the right to retire on his timeline, and he just so happened to pick a great moment for Alabama to change the guard.

Is Deion Sanders coaching the Heisman Trophy favorite in Travis Hunter?

No. Hunter, Colorado’s two-way star, builds a case for being the nation's most talented player. Incredibly, he's amassed 46 receptions to go with two interceptions. He grabbed this Heisman voter’s attention by striking the Heisman pose following his spectacular interception during Colorado’s win at Central Florida.

But, winning the award while not playing quarterback remains an uphill battle, especially if Alabama's Milroe keeps lighting up defenses. Sportsbooks favor Milroe for good reason. Elite quarterbacks from a playoff-contending team enjoy a head-start in the Heisman race.

In the past 24 years, only four non-quarterbacks won the Heisman.

Hunter will receive extra spotlight thanks to the Coach Prime effect. That helps his chances, but he’s not scheduled to face an opponent ranked in the top 15. That limits his opportunity for a so-called “Heisman moment” that voters crave.

Milroe provided more than a few of those moments while Alabama defrocked Georgia in a primetime game.

Voters rarely think outside the box for this award, so although Hunter enjoys a strong chance of being a Heisman finalist, winning the award would be an uncommon twist.

Will the SEC or Big Ten have more College Football Playoff qualifiers?

Right now, I project each conference with four qualifiers.

Ole Miss losing to Kentucky stings the SEC, which already endured body blows in Week 1 when potential contenders LSU lost to Southern California and Texas A&M fell to Notre Dame.

Alabama, Texas, Tennessee and Georgia are the SEC’s best chances for a playoff quartet. Missouri would emerge as the conference’s top option for a fifth qualifier if it wins Saturday at Texas A&M.

The Big Ten has done well to avoid a scenario like Ole Miss suffered, where a top playoff contender falls to a mid-tier conference foe.

Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State enjoy catbird positioning for the playoff. Several others from the league are in the mix, including Southern California, and … Indiana and Rutgers?! Yep, Indiana and Rutgers are undefeated. The Scarlet Knights also avoid Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State and Michigan. What a gift.

After Tennessee’s revolt of 2017 spoiled Greg Schiano getting the Vols’ job, he’s back where he works best, making Rutgers punch above its weight.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network's national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @btoppmeyer.

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