[su_spacer size=”20″] Georgia vs. Auburn may be considered the “Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry”, but there is another school from the “Heart of Dixie” to whom the Dawgs are inextricably linked for as long as football is played in the South. The University of Georgia and The University of Alabama both have very storied histories as members of the Southeastern Conference.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Sanford Stadium will play host to the 67^th meeting between these two celebrated programs; quite possibly proving to be a catalyst into the College Football Playoff for one of them. Richt and Company have had some success against the Crimson Tide in the recent past and have created some memorable moments for the DawgNation.
[su_spacer size=”40″] In 2003, the Georgia Bulldogs got off to a frenzied pace and dismantled Alabama by a score of 37 – 23. Georgia scored all 37 of Its points in the 1^st half. This point total was representative of the most the Tide had ever given up in a half of football in the modern era and the most Georgia had ever scored against Alabama in any of their previous 62 contests.
[su_spacer size=”40″] [su_youtube_advanced url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6rKaEp8X9w” autohide=”no”] [su_spacer size=”40″] In 2007, Mark Richt would face off against Alabama’s new head coach in Nick Saban. Up to this point, Georgia had only one lone victory in Tuscaloosa, which came in 2002. The Dawgs used a heavy dose of Thomas Brown and Knowshon Moreno, racking up 165 yards rushing while Matthew Stafford spread the ball to seven (7) different receivers for another 224 yards. But 60 minutes would prove not enough as these two schools decided to give the patrons some bonus football. After Alabama took their 1^st overtime possession and added 3 points to their total, the Dawgs decided that they had been in Bryant-Denny Stadium as long as they dare. Stafford started under center, made a play action fake to Thomas Brown and launched the ball to Mickey Henderson in the left corner of the end zone for a touchdown, giving Georgia a thrilling 26 – 23 victory.
[su_spacer size=”40″] [su_youtube_advanced url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3JqGhHbc5w” autohide=”no”] [su_spacer size=”40″] But, the 2012 SEC Championship game could potentially prove over time, to be one of the most epic and significant battles between these two Southern institutions. Nick Saban had already won National Titles, and Mark Richt was and is still trying to get his program over the hump. It was clear the winner of this contest would be given the privilege to take on an overmatched Notre Dame squad and would take home the ultimate prize. Georgia had a commanding 11-point lead late in the game but gave up 22 points in a quarter and a half to fall short 32 – 28. The late final drive by the Dawgs found Itself 8 yards short of paydirt and left some Georgia fans scratching their collective heads on what some deemed a tactical and game management error by not spiking the ball to stop the clock.
[su_spacer size=”40″] [su_youtube_advanced url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgUJr1ZUSfU” autohide=”no”] [su_spacer size=”40″] The last time Alabama entered a game as the underdog was in 2008 against the then #1 ranked Georgia Bulldogs in Athens, and everyone recalls the conclusion of that day. On October 3^rd, in Sanford Stadium, throw out the record books, throw out the rankings, and throw out everything including the kitchen sink. It’s going to be an “all hands on deck” type of ballgame. And something tells me it will be “VAULT WORTHY.”
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