(Photo: Clutchpoints)
Saturday Spotlight
SEC Championship
(1) Georgia Bulldogs at (8) Alabama Crimson Tide
Georgia: 29. That’s where the winning streak is now and counting. They have been the most dominant team in college football since 2021. 12-0 that season, a trip to the College Football Playoff and Kirby Smart finally gets that elusive first championship ring he once coveted so much. The following year, they lose a bulk of the title winning team and at times looked shaky, but when they had to put on their best performance, they delivered and it resulted in another championship trophy coming to Athens last season. Back to back titles. This is exactly why they hired Kirby Smart and it wasn’t just to win division titles or conference championships, but national titles and he has delivered. This year, they’re a younger team , but the winning results are still there. As of late, the Georgia Bulldogs have been playing their best football and that’s what championship caliber football teams do. Their Offensive Line has been absolutely tremendous this year despite fighting through injuries. I’ve said this several times and will point it out again. Carson Beck has grown up tremendously and after a successful Quarterback leaves the program, there are always some people who say those will be tough shoes to fill which maybe true, but stop putting pressure on this kid and let him develop into his own Quarterback which he has done. Offensively, Brock Bowers is back, Ladd McConkey and other receivers have stepped it up, they are running the football and defensively, they are swarming to the football. This is going to be a tough out once again for anyone in their path and to get anywhere in the sport, this is who you must take down. Today, they will play in their third consecutive SEC Championship Game.
Alabama: It hasn’t been the typical season from them, but after a down year (to some) last season, they’ve bounce back to win the SEC West. I remember the games this year against the Tennessee Volunteers and LSU Tigers, two teams that each handed them losses in 2022 and people picked both the Vols and Tigers to win those games. My response to that: Nick Saban doesn’t lose to the same team in consecutive years. I can admit after the week two loss to the Texas Longhorns, I was concerned because I felt as though teams didn’t fear them as we’ve seen in years past. I’ve watched a ton of them over the years from dominant regular seasons, winning conference titles and of course, national titles. This is the most mentally tough Alabama Crimson Tide football team I’ve watched under Coach Nick. When it was all stacked against them and they were against the wall, they always found a way to deliver. Let’s speak on the Quarterback, Jalen Milroe. Ever since he was benched, not only has he played with a serious chip on his shoulder, but he’s also been playing some of his best football and he’s dominated games with both his legs and arm. Last weekend had me on the edge of my seat. It’s rivalry week, you’re facing Auburn in the Iron Bowl and as expected, Auburn got up for this game. Let me paint this picture for you so you can follow along. It’s fourth and goal at the 31 yard line (you read that correctly) and Alabama has the football with 43 seconds left. Auburn decided to rush only two men which infuriated me and Jalen throws an absolute dime of a pass to Isaiah Bond for the go-ahead touchdown. This group doesn’t quit and that score would end up winning the football game. Most importantly, Jalen Milroe got better and better as the season went on. They will look to win their first SEC title since 2021 and to do that, they must go through those Bulldogs.
Georgia X-Factor: Jamon Dumas-Johnson: This is the Bulldogs best defensive player and you see the difference when he’s on the field compared to when he’s not there. It’s night and day basically. Jamon swarms to the ball, he’s excellent in coverage and he can apply pressure when the lanes open themselves for him to do so. Jamon is also the leader of this Bulldogs defense and will be counted on facing an offense that’s been very confident each and every week as the season has gone on.
Alabama X-Factor: Jermaine Burton– This has become Jalen’s top target. He’s a slippery route runner and he may not be the quickest receiver, but Jermaine knowns how to position himself down the field. He can make those catches in traffic and he’s a nice threat in the red zone. Here’s another interesting fact about this guy. Guess who he played for last season? These Georgia Bulldogs and he knows what they like to run. Look for him to be targeted quite often.
Final Thoughts: This will be their third time meeting each other in the SEC title game and there have been some memorable moments. In fact, Alabama is the last team to defeat the Georgia Bulldogs which came back in 2021. Almost two years later, here we are. Nick Saban and Kirby Smart are the two best coaches in our sport as we speak. Alabama has reeled off ten straight wins since that week two loss against Texas and Georgia has finished a regular season undefeated for the third consecutive season. Georgia hasn’t faced a defense as strong as what they will see today all during the regular season. However, this Bulldogs offense has been one of the best throughout the year. I’m watching this Georgia defensive front against Jalen Milroe and if it’s me, he’s throwing from the pocket. I’ll take that over him creating with his feet. Look for Alabama to double Bowers more so as Georgia approaches the red area of the field. He will get his all over the field, but in the red area, that’s where they will get smart and take him away. Both of these coaches know each other so well and this game will come down to the fourth quarter and will be an instant classic. Georgia will win another conference title and beat the Crimson Tide today.
Prediction: Georgia 31, Alabama 27
