Mark Schlabach, the phenomenal and distinguished college football scribe, is once again kind enough to share his insights with us. Mark is quite simply, an all-time great. He is a graduate of Georgia and has authored dozens of books, and is a Senior Writer for ESPN. Mark and his wife Heather are the parents of Jane, Caroline and Jack.
Can you talk about the hype heading into this one?
It seemed like it wouldn’t be as big as the anticipation all summer long after the Crimson Tide were rolled by FSU 31-17 in their opener. They’ve bounced back with a couple of wins over UL Monroe and Wisconsin, so it’s once again the game of the week in the FBS. Anytime Georgia and Alabama tee it up, it’s going to be a big one. Undoubtedly, it will probably help determine which team plays for an SEC championship and is among the top seeds in the CFP.
How big is this for Kalen DeBoer?
There is no doubt it’s important for the second-year coach. I’ve been a fan of DeBoer going back to his time at Fresno State. He had a very good run at Washington, guiding the Huskies to a CFP National Championship game appearance, before taking on the unenviable challenge of replacing Nick Saban. A few guys turned down the Tide, and no one wants to be the coach that replaces the GOAT. An 11-5 record isn’t good enough at a place like Alabama, so he needs to keep winning.
How good is Alabama?
The Crimson Tide are probably not as bad as the team that lost to Florida State and not as good as the team that blasted struggling Louisiana-Monroe and Wisconsin. Give DeBoer credit for getting his players to rally and not let their season go in the tank early. Quarterback Ty Simpson has played better in the past two games, and Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard are nice weapons at receiver. I think the most surprising development in the FSU game was that the Seminoles looked so much faster, and they pushed around the Tide’s offensive line. They will probably have back tailback Jam Miller, who missed the first two games with a collarbone injury, which will help.
What is your take on Georgia?
It’s probably Kirby Smart’s youngest team, and there’s no question that inexperience has led to quite a few mistakes in the first three games. I’ve never had doubts about quarterback with Gunner Stockton being able to get the job done, and I’ve been impressed with how the Bulldogs ran the ball at Tennessee. The receiver corps, after the addition of Zach Branch and return of Colbie Young, has been much better. Obviously, the offensive line is going to have to improve dramatically if Georgia is going to challenge for an SEC title. Defensively, the lack of a pass rush and botched assignments in the secondary are concerns.
What do the Bulldogs need to do to win?
The Bulldogs are going to have to run the ball, control the clock, and avoid the early blows that plagued them at Alabama in 2024 and at Tennessee two weeks ago. In last season’s 41-34 loss at Alabama, Georgia was down 28-0 less than three minutes into the second quarter. That can’t happen again. The Bulldogs have to find ways to get pressure on Simpson. They can’t allow him to sit in the pocket and pick them apart. He has more than enough weapons do it.
What is your best guess as to how the SEC schedule will set up with nine games, and who Georgia’s permanent opponents will be?
As if playing in the SEC wasn’t already difficult enough, the league is going to add a ninth conference game in 2026. I think NIL and the transfer portal have already leveled the playing field in the league, I can’t imagine how teams are going to hold up going through a nine-game gauntlet. My best guess is that Auburn, Florida and South Carolina are the Dogs’ annual opponents from 2026-29.
How about a score prediction and the final records for both the Bulldogs and Crimson Tide?
Georgia 31, Alabama 28. It will be a close game again, but give me the Bulldogs at home. Georgia finishes 11-1; Alabama goes 9-3.