Georgia football has to put away Florida in its rivalry matchup, but national media loves the Bulldogs.
Defensively, Georgia has held opponents to 6.6 points per game. Despite shutting out Vanderbilt and Arkansas, the Bulldogs have yet to face an offensive team that will challenge them.
Offensively, Stetson Bennett has provided consistency. He has 11 scoring tosses to two interceptions; however, J.T. Daniels brings more explosive plays at quarterback. Georgia will not be tested again until the Southeastern Conference Championship Game.
It will more than likely face Alabama, who has an explosive offense.
RELATED: BreakingT announces Alabama player-themed t-shirts
Bryce Young has exceeded expectations as a first-year starting quarterback, and the Crimson Tide’s skill players are starting to peak at the right time. Alabama is improving on defense but has time to put everything together. The narrative from the national audience is the Tide does not have enough talent to hang with Georgia. This is Kirby Smart’s best chance at defeating his former boss, Nick Saban, for a national championship. ESPN’s Paul Finebaum said he would take the Bulldogs over Alabama if both schools played today. Many others share this thought, especially with how dominant Georgia has played defensively.
The term “finish” served Alabama well in 2009, 2015, and 2017. After losing to Florida in the 2008 SEC Championship, the Crimson Tide returned in 2009 and won a BCS national title.
Alabama lost to Ole Miss in 2015, yet responded by running the table and winning a College Football Playoff National Champion.
It lost to Auburn in 2017, but the Tide won a national title.
During the bye week, several players spoke on the importance of finishing. Alabama has LSU, Arkansas, and Auburn remaining on its regular-season schedule. People are looking ahead to a potential showdown in Atlanta between the Tide and Bulldogs.
This group is self-motivated, but national media has provided Alabama with more energy.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
