The ball fell in New York City, the kick veered left in Atlanta, and with the New Year upon us, Kirby Smart celebrated a win that reinforced his reputation as a consistent champion.

When Ohio State’s field-goal try in the last moments of the 2022 Peach Bowl missed to the left as the clock struck midnight, it also influenced how we perceive Ryan Day. He often struggles in critical matches.

But imagine if the Buckeyes had successfully converted that 50-yard attempt. Our views of Smart and Day would be much closer.

Georgia’s thrilling 42-41 comeback against Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinal transformed the narrative surrounding Smart, who would later lead Georgia to crush TCU for the national title.

If Ohio State had won that game with the field goal, they too would have likely dominated TCU, whose defense was overwhelmed by Georgia’s offensive prowess.

In that alternate scenario, both Smart and Day would boast one national championship each.

It’s all hypothetical, right?

As the adage goes, “If ‘ifs’ were fifths, we would all be drunk.” And in that case, Day would share the championship count with Smart.

However, Day does not have that championship, thus altering our perspectives on the two coaches. This distinction matters because national titles are the ultimate measure of coaching success. Reflecting on that New Year’s Eve game, it becomes evident that one missed field goal divides Smart from being akin to Day and vice versa.

Ohio State had the upper hand for most of that game until their star receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. went out with a concussion, leading to a failure to hold onto a 14-point lead. Day’s decision-making in the fourth quarter left much to be desired, which hurt his standing, especially after his previous loss to Michigan.

My thoughts on Day and his Ohio State team resurfaced after Georgia’s recent 41-34 loss to Alabama.

Why?

Because, similar to Day, Smart consistently finds ways to defeat nearly all of his opponents.

However, like Day, he struggles against the strongest rival in his conference.

Yet Smart isn’t subjected to the same intense scrutiny as Day is, largely due to that missed field goal in Atlanta.

Kirby Smart falters against Alabama, much like Ryan Day versus Michigan

Smart has only triumphed over Alabama once, resulting in a 1-6 record against the Tide. Meanwhile, Day has a disappointing 1-3 record against Michigan, which frustrates Ohio State fans.

If Day were to lose to Michigan again this season, fans would likely demand drastic changes. In contrast, few called for changes after Smart’s latest defeat against Alabama.

Smart’s two national championship victories act as a strong shield, bolstering his reputation far more than Day’s perfect record against other rivals like Penn State and Michigan State.

Add to this the fact that while both Alabama and Georgia are top-tier SEC contenders, Alabama is not the primary rival for Smart. He boasts an impressive 20-4 record against traditional rivals like Florida, Auburn, and Georgia Tech, aiming for a consecutive eighth win against Auburn this weekend.

For Ohio State, Michigan represents the ultimate rivalry, so even a solid win over Sparty means little if Day cannot conquer Michigan.

Though Day’s winning percentage of .882 surpasses Smart’s .851, the reality is that their circumstances differ greatly, particularly reflected in the count of national championships, which stands at two for Smart and none for Day.

Anyone can secure a national title but it’s extraordinary to snag two. While Gene Chizik and Ed Orgeron achieved one, Smart’s two championships place him in an elite group, providing a protective wall against ongoing setbacks against Alabama.

Smart’s first championship arrived in his sixth year, following a previous loss to Alabama in only his second year.

Day, similarly, experienced a national championship loss to Alabama during his second season and is now into his sixth. His No. 3 ranked Buckeyes remain undefeated as they prepare to take on Iowa, but all of that will mean little if he falters again against Michigan.

Another aspect favoring Kirby Smart over Ryan Day

It’s also essential to note that these coaches took charge of their respective programs at different points in their development.

Day inherited a program that was thriving under Urban Meyer, while Smart took over a Georgia team with more challenges to address.

The garage that once kept Mark Richt’s reliable but unremarkable Toyota Camry has seen a significant transformation under Smart. He has turned Georgia into a formidable power by enhancing its recruiting and fostering a sense of urgency. Smart has propelled Georgia into the elite ranks of college football, achieving remarkable success while rival teams like Alabama thrived and LSU had one of the best seasons in the sport’s history.

Smart’s Bulldogs fought their way to the top and managed to maintain their position for a second consecutive year.

The accomplishments of Smart are undeniably striking and, in many ways, exceed those of Day.

However, Smart continues to struggle against Alabama, often becoming a target of memes with his exaggerated expressions and sideways visor.

Kalen DeBoer has demonstrated that he’s not the only Alabama coach capable of outsmarting Smart in critical games.

“We had an answer for everything they threw at us,” said Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe after delivering a stunning performance against Smart’s defense, accounting for 491 yards of offense.

Smart downplayed the situation. When questioned about his consistent defeats to Alabama, he provided a shocking reply: “What’s the record of others against them? Is there anyone better than 1-6 who has faced them that many times?”

Consider how Day would react if he spoke as casually about his losing streak against Michigan. He can’t afford to, because Michigan is Ohio State’s fiercest competitor and a missed field goal stripped him of victory at the last moment.

Though both coaches have similarities, there are also stark differences. One disastrous kick places Day in the midst of a packed group of accomplished coaches without national titles, while Smart enjoys membership in an elite club of back-to-back champions that grants him unparalleled credibility and a safety net, even as he falters against the Tide.