It’s a top five national showdown in the Southeastern Conference with Alabama hosting Georgia Saturday night at 8 p.m.EST at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Both teams come in at 3-0, both coming off emotional, physical victories.
Alabama topped Ole Miss 63-48, with the Crimson Tide offense putting up incredible numbers. It’s business as usual for Alabama. The Tide opened the season with a 38-19 victory at Missouri, and followed that up with an extremely impressive 52-24 triumph over Texas A&M. That victory over the Aggies looks even better after A&M knocked off Florida 41-38 on a last second field goal in College Station.
Against the Rebels, in a game with a total of 68 first downs, Alabama rolled up 723 total yards. Mac Jones hit 28 of 32 passes for 417 yards and two touchdowns, while Najee Harris rolled up 206 yards and five touchdowns on the ground on 23 carries. Alabama’s offensive line is amongst the best, if not the best, in all of college football. The one-two wide receiver Devonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle are the best in the country. Both went over the 100 yard mark against the Rebels.
Georgia couldn’t have started any worse in a 44-21 victory over Tennessee. The Bulldogs gave up a touchdown on an errant snap less than a minute in the game. Several other self-inflicted wounds, and strong play by Tennessee – headlined by a first half ending goal line stand – had the Volunteers in the lead in the locker room 21-17. But the Georgia defense and special teams was superb, and the offense got going with a pair of impressive second half touchdown drives. The Bulldogs scored 27 successive points, chalking up a fourth straight win over Tennessee.
It was a stifling performance from Georgia’s run defense, holding Tennessee to negative one yard rushing. Azeez Ojulari was amongst the headliners, as he chalked up two sacks, two tackles for loss and forced two fumbles against the Volunteers.
Saturday night’s battle has big stakes, most notably, margin for error for the winner. But for the loser, everything is still in front, and every goal is in reach.
Alabama has won five straight meetings against Georgia, including the 2017 National Championship Game and 2012 and 2018 SEC Championship Games. Scarring for the Bulldogs, Georgia led all three of those games by double digit points in the second half. The Bulldogs have won their last two trips to Bryant Denny Stadium, in 2002 and 2007.
Kirby Smart has had tremendous success at the helm of his alma mater, and he is a product of Nick Saban’s coaching tree. Saban has been college football’s best coach of the 21st century, and one of the all time most successful.
There’s a lot, a lot, a whole bunch of football left after Saturday. Especially in 2020, with 10 conference games. Both Smart and Saban will be quick to point to the following Saturday, no matter what happens. But there is certainly the potential that these two could see one another again in Atlanta come December.