Alabama and Georgia Ready to Battle in College Football’s Marquee Matchup

Georgia tight end Brock Bowers (19) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle (9) during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, in Atlanta, on Dec. 4, 2021. John Bazemore/AP Photo

Two of college football’s most storied programs, Alabama and Georgia, have a heavyweight clash on Saturday that will impact the expanded College Football Playoff.

The fourth-ranked Crimson Tide will host the No. 2 Bulldogs at a sold-out Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium, with former President Donald Trump expected to attend. The game will be held under heightened security, and fans are asked to be in their seats by 5 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. kickoff in the SEC opener.

Alabama leads the all-time series against Georgia, 43–26–4.

Georgia started the season as the nation’s No. 1 team but fell behind Texas after a close game against Kentucky, which the Bulldogs escaped with a 13–12 victory on Sept. 14. Texas took over the No. 1 spot and will play against Georgia on Oct. 19 in another massive game.

Alabama last beat Georgia in Tuscaloosa on Oct. 17, 2020. The Crimson Tide also beat Georgia in the 2023 SEC Championship Game, snapping the Bulldogs’ 29-game winning streak and ending their bid for a third straight national championship.

Georgia’s last victory over Alabama was on Jan. 10, 2021, which earned the Bulldogs their first national championship since 1980.

The Bulldogs have been led by their defense and are the only NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision team that has not allowed a touchdown this season. Their opponents have managed just six field goals in three games.

Linebacker CJ Allen leads Georgia with 15 tackles, while Smael Mondon Jr., Daylen Everette, and Raylen Wilson registered 12 apiece. The Bulldogs also have eight sacks in three games.

Senior quarterback Carson Beck leads Georgia’s offense and is 16–1 in his career as the starter. Beck’s only loss was the 27–24 setback to Alabama in the 2023 SEC title game. Beck threw for 278 yards with two touchdowns in a season-0pening win against No. 14 Clemson, which earned him the SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week award.

Beck has been heavily protected by four starting offensive linemen returning from last season—left tackle Earnest Greene III, lefty guard Dylan Fairchild, right guard Tate Ratledge, and right tackle Xavier Truss.

The Bulldogs have been one of the most dominant teams in the nation and have won 42 consecutive regular-season games. However, Georgia coach Kirby Smart is 1–5 all-time against the Crimson Tide and lost his only game in Tuscaloosa.

The Crimson Tide have a decidedly home-field advantage with a .841 winning percentage—the best mark in the nation. Since 2008, Alabama is also 15–1 in SEC home openers.

Quarterback Jalen Milroe leads Alabama’s offense, and he has 14 touchdowns—eight passing and six rushing—in three games this season. Milroe’s six rushing scores are tied for second-most by a quarterback in Division I football.

In addition, Alabama has a stout offensive line led by Tyler Booker, Parker Brailsford, Elijah Pritchett, Kadyn Proctor, and Jaeden Roberts. That unit won the Outland Trophy’s Players of the Week on Sept. 17 after a 42–10 victory against Wisconsin on Sept. 14.

Freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams has made an immediate impact and leads the team in receptions (10), receiving yards (285) and receiving touchdowns (4). The running game is led by the duo Jam Miller and Justice Haynes, who have combined for 430 of the Crimson Tide’s 714 rushing yards (60.2 percent) and five touchdowns.

The Bulldogs are favored by 1.5 points, according to BetMGM. This game is shaping up to be an epic battle with two of the nation’s elite programs.