1. Pressure Simpson – His jersey was barely dirty in the first meeting. Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson had a superb game in Athens back on September 27, leading the Crimson Tide past the Bulldogs 24-21. He is one of the best quarterbacks in the country, an accurate passer who can make all the throws. Whether it’s the touch on the deep pass or a fastball in close quarters like the go-ahead scoring toss to Isaiah Horton in the Crimson Tide’s thrilling win at Auburn last Saturday, Simpson is lethal with the arm. He’s also a stellar runner. Again, going back to Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium, Simpson had several clutch runs, including a critical fourth-and-short that helped propel Alabama to the win. Georgia’s pass-rush has improved greatly since September. In fact, the consistent pressure against another tremendous quarterback, the Yellow Jackets Haynes King, was a big reason the Bulldogs were able to emerge victorious this past Friday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The great Hall of Famer Kevin Butler calls for “controlled aggression,” and that’s essential to victory. Make Simpson uncomfortable, get to him at least a couple of times, but don’t overrush (which led to Bama’s first first down in Athens in the earlier meeting) and keep containment. Sounds easy right? Hot take. Of course Alabama has a fantastic offensive line, led by massive 6-7, 366-pound All-American left tackle/pass catcher/short yardage runner Kadyn Proctor, who are aiming to protect Simpson all night long and open up holes for the Crimson Tide running attack. Here’s another hot take. It’s Georgia and Alabama. This game, for the most part, will be won in the mean streets of the Southeastern Conference line of scrimmage.

2. 3rd and 4th Down – In the first meeting, Alabama converted its first eight third down attempts, and the Crimson Tide came up with a critical fourth down fourth quarter stop against the Bulldogs. Flip a couple of those plays, and the outcome likely is flipped. But that’s life in the SEC, especially when these two get together. It often comes down to that critical play, that vital conversion. Kirby Smart, America’s premier college football coach, has been a master on fourth down this season. Critical offensive conversions and defensive stops against Tennessee, Auburn, Ole Miss, Florida, Texas and the Yellow Jackets are a huge reason the Bulldogs won all those games and are 11-1.

3. Special Teams – Punter Brett Thorson and place-kicker Peyton Woodring are one of the top specialist duos in college football this decade and one of the best pair to ever kick for Georgia. Alabama is also excellent on special teams. The Bulldogs were just in Mercedes-Benz Stadium this past Friday in the victory over the Yellow Jackets, and performances of Thorson and Woodring were one of the most important factors in Georgia’s win. The pair combined was Georgia’s collective Most Valuable Player a year ago. Flipping the field, making a long one, pinning the Tide, Thorson and Woodring are consistent weapons for the Bulldogs. They’ll once again strive to be at their very best in what will likely be a back-and-forth battle Saturday afternoon.

4. Counterpunch – Alabama is going to make plays. The Crimson Tide is going to score, and get bounces and breaks, and things will happen that will make Georgia fans put their hands over their faces and go “are you bleeping kidding me?!?!” Absorb the blows and hit back harder. The counterpunch. It was the essence of the Bulldogs national championship victory over Alabama on 1/10/2022. Just think of the famous “That’s the Chicago Way” exchange between Sean Connery (Jimmy Malone) and Kevin Costner (Elliott Ness) in The Untouchables.

5. 2002 – It had been 20 years since Georgia last captured a Southeastern Conference championship. The Bulldogs left no doubt, jumping on Arkansas in the program’s first trip to the SEC Championship Game, and beating the Razorbacks 30-3. The win improved the Dogs to 12-1 on the year, and a banner was hoisted for the new SEC champion Bulldogs. After the game, my friend Robby Kirk and I drove back to Athens and celebrated this glorious victory. In fact, we ended up in the Five Points Waffle House. What a night, what a win! Saturday will mark Georgia’s 13th trip to the title tilt, all since 2002, and incredibly the eighth in the last nine years under the watch of Coach King Kirby Smart.