3 biggest games for Kirby Smart that could test Georgia's national championship aspirations in 2024

Georgia Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart was on the verge of immortality last season, leading his team to an unbeaten 12-0 regular season record. His mentor, retired Alabama coach Nick Saban, derailed the dream of a third consecutive national championship with a Southeastern Conference championship game defeat.

With Saban's retirement, Smart is expected to be the new kingpin of college football. The SEC has not gotten any easier with the arrival of the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners.

So, which three games are the most important for Smart's team and could define the Bulldogs' season?

#3. At Ole Miss Rebels

Kirby Smart will lock horns with fellow Nick Saban coaching tree graduate Lane Kiffin of the Ole Miss Rebels when the Georgia Bulldogs travel to Oxford to play against them on Nov. 9.

This game could make or break the Bulldogs' season, coming on the heels of a clash against the Florida Gators and right before a huge clash against the Tennessee Volunteers.

Ole Miss has been touted as one of the teams to watch next season after a stellar spring transfer portal window, alongside returning a majority of the team that won 11 games last season. Georgia will have a tough challenge to surmount in Oxford.

#2. At Alabama

In the past, Georgia versus Alabama would be the top game in the SEC. The departure of Nick Saban has knocked this game to No. 2 on this list since new coach Kalen DeBoer is an unknown element in the conference.

The game will be played in Tuscaloosa at the Bryant-Denny on Sep. 28, making it a game fraught with danger for Kirby Smart.

Whichever team wins this game will be confident of making the conference championship game, and it could prove to be a fatal blow for one of these heavyweights so early in the season.

#1. Kirby Smart will have to go up against the Longhorns

Kirby Smart will have to go through several ranked opponents to take the Bulldogs to the promised land. One of those roads leads to Austin on Oct. 19 to face off against SEC newcomers, coach Steve Sarkisian's Texas Longhorns.

During the SEC media days, Nick Saban named the two sides as his favorites for the conference championship game, and the road game for Georgia might have far-reaching implications.

The Longhorns reached the college football playoff semifinals last season and have been improving massively under Sarkisian's guidance.

The above three games could make or break the post-Nick Saban dynasty that coach Kirby Smart is seeking to build with the Georgia Bulldogs.