Clash of the Titans: Alabama vs. Georgia, Round 1
The Dawgs defense is lauded as one of the best in the country. They face their toughest test yet against “Quarterback Mac” and the boys. Can UGA finally get over the hump against the Tide?
By: Dave in Tuscaloosa
And here we go...the so-called “Game of the Year!” Will the Dawgs finally turn the corner and knock off their nemesis in Crimson and White? Many in Dawg Nation are salivating at this one, and collectively, there is a feeling among the Bulldog faithful that this could be it...this could be the year that Georgia and Kirby finally get over the hump and beat Alabama. After all, the talk show pundits are stating that Clemson and Georgia are the only two teams so far this year that are interested in playing defense. Just look at what happened to the Tide defense last Saturday night. After a shaky first half in their opener against a respectable Arkansas squad, Georgia has rolled and is currently playing excellent ball in all three phases of the game. Could this really be the night Dawg fans have been waiting for since losing the national title to Bama in 2017?
Let’s start by taking a look at UGA-Bama since the arrival of Sir Nick to T-town:
2007: Saban’s first year, the Dawgs take the Tide to overtime and come out with their last victory over Alabama, 26-23.
2008: The infamous Athens “Black-Out” game that turned out to be a nightmare for the Dawg faithful, the nation gets introduced to the likes of Julio Jones, Mark Ingram, and Rolando McClain, and the Tide sprints out to a 31-0 lead and never look back, dominating the Dawgs 41-30.
Photo: Mark Almond, Birmingham News
Remember this? This was fun.
2015: Mark Richt and the Bulldogs hosted Saban’s Tide, who were coming off a rare regular season loss to Ole Miss the week before, and for the first time in years, Alabama is slated as an underdog. In a rain soaked contest, it’s over by halftime as Jake Coker, Derrick Henry, and company roll over the Dawgs once again, 38-10. Alabama’s defensive coordinator Kirby Smart dominates his alma mater and the Tide never look back and roll to Saban’s 5th national championship. At the end of the season, Dawg nation decides to move on from the Richt era and welcome alum Smart as their new head coach.
2017: 2nd and 26...enough said.
2018: SEC Championship...in Atlanta...led by a backup quarterback, Jalen Hurts leads the Bama nation to the promised land once again, coming from behind to defeat Smart’s Dawgs, 35-28.
Photo: Grant Nicholls, The Crimson White
Going down memory lane is fun, isn’t it Georgia fans?
So, this has to be the year, correct? With Georgia’s defense, led by senior linebacker and Alabama native Monty Rice being lauded, rightfully so, as one of the nation’s best, and with steady junior quarterback Stetson Bennett, who is completing 63% of his passes and has thrown 5 touchdowns to zero interceptions, this certainly looks like the year the Dawgs get past the Tide. Bama’s defense struggled mightily against Ole Miss last week, surrendering a record number of yards, loads of points, and they almost came home with a big, fat “L.” People are questioning Saban and defensive coordinator Pete Golding as they try to return the Tide defense to the glory days, but in the meantime, are struggling to slow any offense in the SEC. It seems like Georgia has all of the momentum, and it seems like the loaded Dwags are ready to pounce on the vulnerable Tide.
However….
Last time we checked, this was still Alabama led by the greatest coach in the game. Last we checked, quarterback Mac “Daddy” Jones is leading one of the most prolific offenses in school history. Last we checked, Bama’s receiving corps of Waddle, Smith, Metchie, and tight end Miller Forristall make up the most dynamic and explosive unit in the country. Last we checked, the Tide offensive line is one of the nation’s best, and the running game, led by junior Najee Harris (10 TDs) has come to life. And last we checked, Alabama’s special teams have been solid and effective through the first three games.
The key to this game will be Alabama’s defense (giving up a staggering 33 points per game). If they mirror their performance from last week, with missed assignments and missed tackles galore, Georgia will win this game. In addition, if Bama has to go with the backup quarterback like they have needed to the last two meetings with the Dawgs, they will come short as well. Bryce Young is extremely talented, but might not be quite ready for the Bulldog defense. Yet, do we really think a Nick Saban defense will implode two weeks in a row (can you imagine the defensive film room in Tuscaloosa this week!)? Perhaps last week’s performance was an anomaly, a “one hit wonder” and slaughter at the hands of a master butcher (Kiffin) and a scheme (up-tempo, spread) that has proven to give Bama fits for years.
Tide fans are holding their collective breath, hoping that indeed will prove to be the case. The Dawgs offense has been outstanding so far, averaging 36 points per game. They present an attack that is straightforward, smash-mouth, traditional-run-right-at-you, and that style plays nicely into the hands of a vulnerable Alabama defense, which is unceremoniously giving up 51 points per game. Can the much celebrated Dawg defense, giving up a mere 12 points per game so far, slow down Quarterback Mac and the Crimson and White attack (averaging 51 points per game...wow) enough for Bennett and company to score enough points to win?
It should be a close game, with both defenses finding their footing early until the offenses start to roll. If it comes down to the offenses, we’ve got to side with Jones and company, and in a close and entertaining contest, Bama’s defense plays with a giant chip on their shoulders and makes just enough stops to allow the offense to pull away late in a fun thriller...and a preview to a possible rematch in the SEC Championship game in December.
Bama walks out of this one with another heavyweight title belt to add to Saban’s wall.
Round two to come!
Alabama 34
Georgia 30