In one of the best player interviews given all season, running back Kendall Milton provided insight into the Bulldogs’ week of practice, along with detailing his battle with injuries over the course of his Georgia career.

Milton, a highly touted recruit from California, has seen his Bulldog career marred by injuries. In four years, there have been just a handful of games where the running back has been fully healthy. Nevertheless, Milton’s production has been exceptional in 2023, especially as of late. Over the past three weeks, Milton has been the Dawgs’ leading rusher, tallying 349 yards while punching the football into the end zone five times.

As the Bulldogs prepare to take on a border rival for an SEC Championship with a spot in the College Football Playoff on the line, Milton’s production will ultimately be one of the deciding factors in determining who lifts the trophy on Saturday.

Alabama is dealing with multiple defensive line injuries and is coming off a performance against Auburn where they gave up 244 yards on the ground. This is certainly uncharacteristic of a defense that has been one of the most efficient at stopping the run during the regular season. While it is fair to expect the Alabama defense to perform much better against the run this Saturday, stopping Milton in peak form will be a tall task.

Milton told the media that Georgia is aware of the challenge Alabama presents, as the history of Georgia’s contests with Alabama echoes throughout the locker room from Head Coach Kirby Smart this week. Georgia heads into Atlanta this Saturday having never beaten the Crimson Tide for an SEC Title, holding a record of 0-3. Milton told reporters that playing Bama “motivates us that much more” and acknowledged that he, along with the team, view conquering new milestones as vitally important.

It is no secret that Georgia vs Alabama has become an intense rivalry with little love lost between the two sides. Each time the two face off, there are championship implications on the line. For Georgia, conquering the Crimson Tide starts with running the football effectively and controlling the line of scrimmage. With Milton playing his best football in a Georgia uniform, expect to see a heavy dose of number two this Saturday in Atlanta.