In previous eras of college football, such as when championship matchups were decided by formulas or during the last decade when only four teams qualified for the playoffs, the upcoming clash between No. 2 Georgia and No. 4 Alabama would have been seen as a crucial elimination game.
However, with the College Football Playoff expansion to 12 teams this season, teams in the four most powerful conferences now have more leeway in their pursuit of a national title.
Nonetheless, the stakes remain high for Saturday’s showdown between both undefeated Southeastern Conference powerhouses, set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
For the first time since 2007, Alabama (3-0) enters a home game as the underdog, according to ESPN. Under former coach Nick Saban, Alabama was a dominant force in the SEC, and now, under first-year coach Kalen DeBoer, the team has its chance to reaffirm its status as a credible title contender—an accolade that this season’s Georgia team is also striving to establish.
The Bulldogs (3-0) have won two national championships under head coach Kirby Smart, a former assistant to Saban, and started this season impressively, outscoring their initial opponents 81-6. However, they narrowly defeated Kentucky last week, winning 13-12, which resulted in a drop in the polls.
Georgia’s quarterback Carson Beck is in his second year as a starter and has not thrown an interception this season, contributing to a successful scoring record whenever the Bulldogs reach the opponent’s 20-yard line. Yet, Georgia has its share of issues, including a third-down conversion rate ranked 74th and a third-down defense ranked 81st, alongside a troubling number of penalties.
Alabama too has faced challenges, particularly with penalties and fumbles, but boasts the nation’s fifth-best passing defense, which could effectively challenge Beck. Notably, Keon Sabb has already intercepted three passes in three games this season, showcasing the potential to disrupt Georgia’s offensive flow.
Historically, Alabama has been successful against Georgia, winning eight of the last nine matchups since 2008.