By Garin Turner
For the fifth time, it’s a SEC Championship game between the #3 Georgia Bulldogs vs. the #9 Alabama Crimson Tide. The game is Saturday, December 6, at 4 PM EST on ABC. The Bulldogs are 11-1 while Alabama is 10-2.
What’s at stake (besides the SEC Championship)
Georgia is in regardless, but they’ll want to avenge another regular-season loss to Alabama. The last game saw the Crimson Tide win a close 24-21 game. Georgia has key wins against then #15 Tennessee (44-41), then #5 Ole Miss (43-35, Ole Miss is also likely to make the college football playoffs), then #10 Texas (35-10, there’s talk that Texas might get in as well), and
then #23 Georgia Tech (16-9).
Alabama needs to win to assure themselves a spot in the college football playoffs. A loss and depending on what else happens in conference championship games, a three loss Crimson Tide could still make it in. Alabama started the season with a loss to Florida State. They responded by winning eight straight games before losing to then #11 Oklahoma 23-21.
The Sooners are another SEC team that could get into the college football playoffs. Alabama’s key wins are: then #5 Georgia (24-21, Georgia is in period), then #16 Vanderbilt (30-14, Vanderbilt most likely won’t get in, but there’s a chance), then #14 Missouri 27-24, and then #11 Tennessee 37-20. All of those wins were back-to-back.
First game
Alabama scored all its points in the first half and did enough to hold off Georgia. Ty Simpson accounted for all three of the Crimson Tide’s touchdowns. He threw for two and ran for another. He finished 24/38 for 276 yards. He ran four times for 12 yards. Jam Miller had 16 carries for 46 yards. Isaiah Horton had five catches for 65 yards and a touchdown.
Gunner Stockton went 13/20 for 130 yards and a touchdown for Georgia. Chauncey Bowens had 12 carries for 119 yards and a score. Josh McCray added another score on the ground. Colbie Young had four catches for 59 yards and a touchdown.
Keys to the game
Everything goes out the window when these two play each other. Who executes better will win the game.
Georgia Team Leaders
Passing: Gunner Stockton, 2,535 yards with 20 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Rushing: Nate Frazier, 809 yards on 145 carries and five touchdowns.
Receiving: Zachariah Branch, 68 catches for 691 yards and four touchdowns.
Alabama Team Leaders
Passing: Ty Simpson, 3,056 yards with 25 touchdowns and four interceptions.
Rushing: Jam Miller, 493 yards, 123 carries, and three touchdowns.
Receiving: Germie Bernard, 51 catches for 700 yards and six touchdowns.
Prediction
This will be a high-scoring game, likely decided by who gets the ball last or even overtime. Alabama finds a way to beat Georgia twice in the same year, 45-44.
