ATLANTA (AP) — Kalen DeBoer spoke with pride Sunday about his No. 10 Alabama team returning to the Southeastern Conference title game after missing it last year.

That appreciation of having another opportunity to play for the conference title prompted DeBoer to give credit to coach Kirby Smart for No. 3 Georgia (11-1) reaching Saturday's game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the fifth consecutive year.

“That’s pretty impressive, just doing it over and over at the highest level in the toughest conference in the country,” DeBoer said. “Tip of the hat to Coach Smart and what he’s done.”

Georgia was No. 4 in the last College Football Playoff ranking and will be playing to protect the first-round playoff bye that comes with a top-four finish.

“Humility is a week away,” Smart said.

Alabama’

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