By : Kameron Taylor
(Photo/Kameron Taylor-Albany Herald)
For the second straight year, college football blue bloods Alabama and Georgia will face off in a highly anticipated matchup. This year the matchup will take place at Sanford Stadium at 7:30pm ET, on ABC. Alabama will be traveling to Georgia for the first time in nearly a decade when they won 38-10 with Kirby Smart as their defensive coordinator.
The recent history between these two teams has been filled with thrilling, high stakes matchups. Since 2017, they have played twice in the National Championship, with Alabama winning in 2017 and Georgia winning in 2021. The Crimson Tide has had the advantage in their SEC Championship games winning all three matchups.
Protecting the Fort vs Overcoming the Hump
Entering the game, Georgia holds the longest active home winning streak, winning 34 straight. The last time they lost at home was October 12th, 2019 against South Carolina. However, Coach Kirby Smart is 1-6 in his career against the Crimson Tide. It is clear, UGA can win but their only hump as of recent has been beating Alabama. The burning question is: Can Georgia win it at home?
Air Raid vs Vulnerable Defense
In Alabama’s dominant win against Wisconsin, Ty Simpson completed 24/29 of his passes for 382 yards and four touchdowns. Ryan Williams had five receptions for 165 yards and two touchdowns. The Tide’s passing attack also featured Germie Benard and Iasiah Horton, who each caught a touchdown.
Right now, Georgia’s weakness is their secondary which was exposed in their dramatic 44-41 win against Tennessee. They gave up several big plays and three home run ball touchdowns, with the Vols scoring on 72, 56, and 32 yard touchdowns. Alabama has three talented wide receivers in Ryan Williams, Germie Benard, and Isaiah Horton. If Ty Simpson can play excellently and exploit Georgia’s one on one matchups, it could be a long night for Georgia’s defense.
Georgia’s offense
Georgia’s offense on the other hand is looking better. Their biggest advantage is in their running game, in Nate Fraizer, Dwight Phillips Jr, Josh McCray, Chauncey Bowens. Their passing game is also solid with Gunner Stockton and his targets in Colbie Young, Zach Branch, and Dillon Bell. If the passing game and run games are flowing, they could disrupt Alabama’s defense.
Keys to the game
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Playing a complete game, who can be dominant for 60 minutes?
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Can Alabama’s passing game, disrupt Georgia’s defense
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Can Georgia get the run game going, and throw of Alabama’s defense
Overall, this will be another classic game with college football playoff implications. Both teams have fire power on both sides of the ball. It will come down to whoever can be dominant for the whole game.