Kirby Smart and Peyton Manning were never meant to become Gators. But they both met each other during a recruiting trip to Gainesville. Smart, a Georgia native, and Manning, connected to Tennessee through David Cutcliffe, had other plans. Manning disappointed Ole Miss fans by picking the Vols over his father’s school, while Smart, a coach’s son, embraced his Georgia heritage. Their paths crossed repeatedly, with Manning headed for NFL stardom and Smart forging his own coaching career. The twist? Smart ultimately got one significant highlight over Manning during their college days. Though he would never brag, his left tackle ensures everyone recognizes the extent of his legacy.

Manning always dominated the rivalry. Across three seasons, he torched Georgia’s defense, connecting on 88 of

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