Alabama kennels the Dawgs for SEC Title, awaits playoff fate

The Alabama Crimson Tide are SEC Champions once again after taking down the 2x defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs 27-24 and putting the Dawgs’ 29 game win streak to an end in Atlanta this afternoon.

It looked dicey early for the Tide, with Georgia winning the coin toss and electing to defer to the second half which resulted in a quick three-and-out followed by a dominant 8-play, 83 yard Georgia scoring drive capped off by a Kendall Milton 17-yard score:

No. 1 Georgia strikes first 🐶

Kendall Milton finds the endzone to cap an eight-play, 83-yard drive for the Bulldogs.

🎥 @CBSSportspic.twitter.com/4O2TlCPViL

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) December 2, 2023

Alabama went three-and-out once again on the following drive, but were able to force a Bulldog three-and-out of their own which led to a Will Reichard field goal to bring the score to 7-3.

After another stop, Jalen Milroe led his first touchdown drive of the game with a 10-play, 92 yard possession capped off by a beautiful wheel route from Jamarion Miller for a 28-yard touchdown. Miller played a huge role in the absence of the injured Jase McClellan:

Wagon Wheel 👀@JalenMilroe ➡️@JamarionMiller1

📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/S2vEAxvggz

— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) December 2, 2023

What happened on Georgia’s following drive would prove to be one of the most consequential sequences of the entire game. With the Bulldogs facing second and ten from the 19, Deontae Lawson made a stop for a loss of two followed by a Dallas Turner sack on 3rd down.

On the ensuing field goal attempt, Georgia took a false start penalty, pushing a 45-yard attempt to 50 yards which freshman kicker Peyton Woodring would hit the post and miss.

Last drive for #Alabama's defense:

-Deontae Lawson's TFL on 2nd down
-Dallas Turner's 3rd down sack

🔥 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/gPBdOllrTM

— Video from: @TSV__1 (@TSV__1) December 2, 2023

Alabama took the ball from there and went right down the field and scored again on a Jalen Milroe 15-yard strike to Jermaine Burton which brought the game to halftime at 17-7.

TD catch off the DOME 🙌

📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/PhrGzbNe22

— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) December 2, 2023

The second half started much slower than the first, with the only scores being each team converting a field goal to keep Alabama’s lead at ten entering the fourth. The Crimson Tide did let a gift from Georgia go after a Bulldog fumble placed the Tide at the 11, but only got a field goal out of it.

A huge turnover.

Alabama takes over in Georgia territory. pic.twitter.com/3BJaECO2bN

— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) December 2, 2023

After punts from both teams, a great Georgia return placed them in Alabama territory, where the Dawgs were able to make it a 20-17 ballgame with 10 minutes left.

Alabama answered this with perhaps the best and most clutch drive of its entire season, going 75 yards and capping it off with a Roydell Williams score from the one to take a ten point lead with just under six minutes left:

Train comin’ through 🚂@RoydellW_6

📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/FDMBM5SIEe

— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) December 3, 2023

Georgia would not go away, with another 75-yard touchdown drive highlighted by a spectacular catch from Brock Bowers get down to the six yard line and eventually get it to 27-24 with just under three minutes left:

What a catch by Brock Bowers. Excellent camera work, too pic.twitter.com/cAmYz9Jy6M

— Ben Brown 🌻 (@BenBrownPL) December 3, 2023

Alabama was able to ice the game with the legs of Jalen Milroe, who carried the ball for first downs twice and allowed the Tide to kneel it out and finish the game off.

Milroe finished 13/23 for 192 yards and two passing touchdowns along with 29 rushing yards after being sacked four times. He was named MVP of the game.

Alabama now will await their College Football Playoff fate as Florida State and Michigan play with spots still up for grabs. But beating the number one team in the country is as good of a statement as can possibly be made at this stage of the season.