The Alabama Crimson Tide will host what is likely to be the biggest game of the college football regular season as the Georgia Bulldogs, along with numerous special guests, arrive in to Tuscaloosa for an early top-five matchup.
By Saturday morning, the streets of Tuscaloosa will be flooded with tailgaters, cars, and everything in between as a quiet, yet loud anxiety that always marks a huge game day settles in across the quad on campus.
Ultimately, there are a few key matchups that will determine the outcome of this game. One of them is Georgia’s offense against the young secondary of the Crimson Tide which has yet to really be tested. The Bulldogs weapons are not what they have been after Ladd McConkey and Brock Bowers departed for the NFL, but there are still players who can beat you along with an experienced quarterback in Carson Beck who would love to feast on the true freshmen that play major snaps for Alabama at both corner and safety.
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Georgia has some injuries along the offensive line which the Tide front seven must exploit in order to make the job of the secondary at least a little bit easier.
On the offensive side of the ball for Alabama, the Tide must be able to run the ball effectively or it could be a long night. Jalen Milroe will never kill you with an intermediate passing game, but Alabama must be able to sustain long drives rather than only relying on long shot plays in order to move the ball.
Running the ball effectively from the start would go a long way towards giving Alabama an edge. Ultimately, and this may be the most critical, someone outside of Ryan Williams within the wide receiver group is going to have to step up. The Bulldogs will likely do everything they can to take the 17-year-old out of the game, meaning that there should be opportunities for others while attention is focused on Williams.
Whether it be Germie Bernard, Kobe Prentice, or Kendrick Law, someone will have to make some big plays for Alabama.
But as is the case with most football games, this one is going to be won in the trenches. When it comes down to it, the Tide — when healthy — are better on the offensive line and can match the athleticism of the Georgia defensive front. Look for the Tide to win in an instant classic.
Final Prediction:
Alabama 23, Georgia 19
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.
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