It's rare that Alabama can use being an underdog as motivation. The tide doesn't find themselves in that situation often. On Saturday, they were able to relish that role. Alabama QB Bryce Young had a record setting performance , as the Tide carved up Georgia's vaunted defense. Alabama's proficiency in the passing game made Georgia's D look human and vulnerable, something hasn't happened all season prior. Bama was great on 3rd down converting 50% of their attempts, keeping drives alive and leading to scoring chances.
There was no question that Alabama had the mental edge going into the SEC Title game. The Tide hasn't lost to Georgia since 2007 and Coach Kirby Smart has never beaten Alabama. There also is the aura around Nick Saban, he only has one loss all time against former staffers. His lone loss in that situation came earlier this year to Jimbo Fisher and Texas A&M.
The game started slow, as there was only 3 points scored in the 1st quarter. It isn't unprecedented to see that in a big game like this was. Both teams were sort of "feeling each other out" seemingly in the early going. Georgia got on the board 1st, hitting a 38 yard FG after a methodical drive of over 6 minutes. The Bulldogs would lead 3-0 after the opening frame.
Georgia would go up 10-0 after they marched 97 yards to pay dirt. The Bulldogs got a TD pass from Stetson Bennett to Darnell Washington on the opening play of the 2nd quarter. Alabama would get going offensively after that. The Tide would go onto to outscore Georgia 41-14 from the 14:56 mark of the 2nd quarter. Bama answered with a big play in the passing game, Bryce Young would hit Jameson Williams for a 67 yard TD pass. Young found his rhythm, as he then found John Metchie on a TD pass. That put Alabama up 14-10. They would then get a FG after a drive of over 5 minutes. Georgia would tie it when Bennett found Ladd McConkey for a 32 yard TD pass. Bama then scored when Bryce Young scrambled for an 11 yard TD. The Tide would take a 24-17 lead into the half.
Alabama would keep the momentum going in the 2nd half. It would be another big pass play that would give Alabama their 1st double digit lead of the game. Young found Williams again, this time it was a 55 yard TD strike. Alabama then lead 31-17, they would shut Georgia down the rest of the quarter and lead 31-17 after three.
The Alabama defense would all but close the door when Jordan Battle scored on a 42 yard pick 6. That put Alabama up 3 scores at 38-17 and watching the game it was clear that Alabama had put Georgia away with that play. Georgia became one dimensional offensively in the 2nd half, having to lean on their passing game. That was the formula that benefitted Alabama. They forced Georgia QB Stetson Bennett to beat them and that was a major advantage for Alabama. Bennett is a game manager type, not the type of QB talent that is going to put the team on his back to beat a team like Alabama, in a game of this magnitude.
Georgia did score in the 4th in a "too little , too late" situation. Alabama would add a insurance score when they hit on a 41 yard FG with 2 minutes left. That would make the final score 41-24 Alabama. The tide did what was almost unthinkable, rolling up over 500 yards of total offense against Georgia. Bryce Young set the SEC Title Game record for passing yards. Young may have won himself the Heisman with a big time performance Saturday. He was 26 of 44 for 421 yards and 3 TD's. Georgia's Stetson Bennett was 29 of 48 for 340 yards, 3 TD's and 2 picks. Bama's WR core was running free in Georgia's secondary throughout the game. Jameson Williams had 7 catches for 184 yards and 2 TD's. Metchie had 6 catches for 97 yards and a score. Georgia got a big game from TE Brock Bowers, he had 10 catches for 139 yards and a TD.
With the win, Alabama punched their playoff ticket and claimed another SEC Title. The Tide will take on Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl which is one of Semifinal games of the College Football Playoff. Georgia dropped with the loss they will take on Michigan in the Orange Bowl, the other Semifinal game. Both of those games are slated for December 31st. The winners will play for the National Title on January 10th.
