Tony Barnhart is a legendary college football scribe and commentator. One of the most talented, knowledgeable and influential writers to ever cover the sport and all its pageantry and splendor, the celebrated author and columnist was kind enough to weigh in with his thoughts on the Bulldogs battle with Alabama.
What is your take on Alabama?
I had Alabama No. 4 in my preseason poll for the FWAA (Football Writer’s Association of America) poll and I still have the Tide there behind Georgia, Texas, and Ohio State. Yes, they lost the greatest coach of all time, but I was impressed with Kalen DeBoer when I talked to him in the spring. He appears comfortable in his own skin. Alabama is a playoff team that can go deep into the postseason.
What is your take on Georgia?
Georgia under Kirby Smart has become the premier program in college football. Quite honestly, I didn’t think anyone would ever be able to match what Saban did at Alabama. Coach Smart is very much on his way to doing just that. Despite having the most difficult road schedule in colIege football, I expect them to make the 12-team College Football Playoffs and play in the CFP national championship in Atlanta on January 20.
What does Georgia need to do to win?
Offensively, I think Georgia needs to run the ball consistently to set up the play action pass and keep the heat off Carson Beck. You can take this to the bank – Alabama’s defense will try to make Beck very, very uncomfortable. Defensively it is also simple: You cannot let quarterback Jalen Milroe beat you with his legs. When he drops back to pass somebody has to stay home to account for him. Having said that, Milroe is very underrated as a passer. He throws a very good deep ball.
Can you talk about the significance of the two quarterbacks Saturday night?
If the NFL Draft were held today, there is no doubt that Carson Beck would be the first quarterback taken and he might be the No. 1 Pick overall. Beck does not panic under pressure and he throws a very catchable ball. Sure, he misses his clutch receivers in Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey but there is more than enough talent in the program for Georgia to do what it wants in the passing game. When DeBoer took over at Alabama, we wondered how he would use Milroe. Would he be tempted to fit him into his Washington offense which took Michael Penix, Jr. and Huskies to the national championship game? Or would he recognize what Milroe can do with his legs and build it into the playbook? Now we know. He was great against Wisconsin at Camp Randall. Like I said. This guy can beat you. Just don’t let him do it with his legs. This game will come down to who makes the most explosive plays of 20 yards or more. Alabama had 12 explosive plays against; Wisconsin and gave up only four. No one has scored a touchdown on Georgia in its first three games.
Here’s a hanging curve, what is your favorite Georgia-Alabama game?
This one is easy. Georgia 18, Alabama 17 on September 18, 1965 in Athens. It was Coach Vince Dooley’s second year at Georgia. Alabama was the defending national champions. With time running out, Georgia trailed 17-10 and Coach Dooley called the “Flea Flicker” – a trick play that he had learned playing on the streets of Mobile, Alabama. The play called for tight end Pat Hodgson to run a hook about 10 yards down the field. Hodgson’s job was to catch the ball and then lateral it to running back Bob Taylor, who was trailing the play. Hodgson bobbled the ball but shoveled it back to Taylor, who ran 73 yards for a touchdown. There was never any doubt that Georgia would go for two and the win. Kirby Moore found Hodgson open in the back of the endzone. This was the game that made me fall in love with college football at the age of 12. Alabama fans still tell me that Hodgson’s knee was down.
What are the final records for these two?
FINAL RECORDS
Alabama 13-2 (Playoffs)
Georgia 15-1 (National Champions)
What’s the final score Saturday night?
FINAL SCORE – Georgia 27, Alabama 24.