Alabama Versus Georgia: An All-Time Classic

Tyler Stearns |

Alabama Versus Georgia did not disappoint. The game had been dubbed "the matchup of the year" by nearly every major football pundit throughout the week leading up to the event. Milroe versus Beck, Williams versus Starks, Georgia's front seven versus Alabama's offensive line, and vice versa. The in-game storylines were amazing. But more importantly, the two programs have been the best in football since 2018, dominating the SEC and consistently making and contending for the CFP. Alabama has had its number, especially with Kirby Smart, winning three of the four matchups against the Bulldog in Smart's tenure as head coach.

Jalen Milroe, Via 1819 News

The game was tough to predict. On the one hand, Alabama's offense had been rolling, with Milroe taking a massive leap from last season and Ryan Williams proving to be the best freshman receiver. But Georgia's stout defense was expected to give them a big challenge. And while Alabama's front seven was great, their secondary came into question when discussing the speed threat that Georgia's weapons posed on or outside the hashes.

But all the talk came to an end at 4:30p on Saturday, when Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit called the kickoff. It isn't an over-exaggeration to say that Georgia got manhandled in the first half. 30-7 (28-0 before Georgia first scored) was the tally at the end of the first half. Milroe had three touchdowns and the defense had multiple turnovers. Alabama was rolling.

In the second half, everything shifted. Many expected Alabama to take care of things and close the game strong, but many people forgot that Georgia is Georgia, meaning they won't go away quietly. The Bulldogs clawed their way back and went up 34-33 with two and a half minutes to go. In the comeback, it felt as if Beck was completing every deep ball he threw and the Crimson Tide's young secondary couldn't adjust to the ball. And it didn't help that Alabama's offense became stagnant, but their defense shouldn't have given up as many yards as they did.

But individual brilliance prevailed, as Ryan Williams took a fade ball from the sideline, back into the middle of the field, juking out two Georgia defensive backs, and speeding his way into the endzone. The stadium roared as their 17-year-old freshman phenom made the game winning play. The Tide's defense clutched up, forcing Beck to throw his third pick of the day.

Alabama should have won by more, especially considering how great they were in the first half. But even in the face of adversity, the Tide never gave up. After giving up 26 second half points, they didn't shrink, in fact they stood up to the task and punched it back. But strategically, if Alabama can play like they did in the first half, they have a legitimate shot to win the National Championship.