Live Alabama vs. Georgia, watch online, TV channels, SEC championship match start times, picks, odds

No. 1 Georgia and the number 3 Alabama Saturday’s SEC Championship Game will mark the 30th edition of the competition for the league championship, and it will be yet another display of league dominance. With the Crimson Tide win, the SEC is likely to put two teams in College football The knockout round. But if the Bulldogs win, they will join the CFP as the favorites to give the convention a third different undefeated national championship in the past three seasons.

Georgia’s 12-0 record and nearly everyone’s dominance on the schedule this season puts sixth-year coach Kirby Smart in the top spot to beat Alabama for the first time in his tenure. ; he is 0-3 ahead of his former boss Nick Saban so far. These teams last met during the 2020 regular season, when Alabama rebounded from a halftime deficit to win 41-24 en route to the 13-0 season and national title. But the Crimson Tide’s offense was not the unstoppable kick that was last season, and the Georgia defense has emerged as the best unit on either side of the ball in the country.

However, Alabama will be the toughest team Georgia has played against this season, and if the Bulldogs are heading for the CFP, the Crimson Tide has enough talent to make Georgia lose its first game.

Alabama vs. Georgia: Need to know

Turntable: A common refrain that emerged from Alabama’s win over Georgia last season was that the Bulldogs failed to become a championship-caliber team with Stetson Bennett in midfield. He completed only 18 of the 40 passes in the game and threw three interceptions. But here the Bulldogs are a year later becoming the nation’s clear No. 1 with Bennett back at center. Forced to do duty while injured JT Daniels early in the season, Bennett got the job started and refused to let it go.

Beating Alabama with Bennett in midfield would be the final sign of Georgia’s arrival. Alabama has modernized its offense in recent years, removing midfield game managers and beefing up its attack with skilled and high-paced players. . If Georgia were to beat a modern Alabama team with Bennett, a slightly more mobile version of the homegrown quartet that the Crimson Tide used early in Saban’s tenure, it would suggest that the Bulldogs simply recruited use and develop their way to master Saban’s original championship formula.

Defense advantage: Alabama struggled offensively last week against Auburn before winning 24-22 in the fourth extra time. Handling the Georgia defense will be significantly more difficult for the Crimson Tide. Bulldogs ranked 4th nationally with 41 bags, while Alabama ranked 108th nationally with 35 bags allowed.

If Georgia can lay off Bryce Young and keep Alabama on the shackles, the outcome may depend on who wins the important third and long innings. The Crimson Tide converts over 46.5% of their third-down plays claiming 7 yards or more, which is the best rate in the country. But Georgia only allows the opponent to convert 18.5% of the third and so long plays. The Crimson Tide will likely have trouble setting up the race against a Georgia defense that allows just 2.49 yards per carry. So the Crimson Tide will need to switch some third and long plays to keep the drive going.

Almost loss value: It could be worth in a close loss to Alabama, the team still has a chance to qualify for the CFP as a two-game losing team should some foul play occur. Draw in two defeats that can be demanding Oklahoma State to lose Baylor in the 12 Grand Championship Game and for Cincinnati to lose Houston in the title game AAC. Even then, there’s no guarantee Alabama will make it.

But as this game progresses, it should be remembered that even a narrow loss counts. Georgia is seen as a superior team, and if the Crimson Tide shows they are capable of competing against the Bulldogs, that will give the CFP selection committee some thought, while a big loss could spell fate. of Alabama.

How to watch live Alabama vs. Georgia

Day: Saturday, December 4 | Time: 4 p.m. ET
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, Georgia
TV: CBS | Live: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free of charge)

Predictions Alabama vs. Georgia, the pick

Featured game | Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia’s defense is dominating and has enough fitness to overpower Alabama’s attack line to put pressure on Young and stifle a game the Crimson Tide has struggled with this season. Georgia isn’t an attacking team, but Alabama’s defense has shown weaknesses this season – particularly in the backline – that the Bulldogs can capitalize on. Hopefully Georgia will let Alabama down by tying sacks or turning heads on its way to victory. Prediction: Georgia (-6.5)

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