Kevin Steele was prepared for this matchup against Georgia as Alabama’s defensive coordinator.
He earned his paycheck in the first half of the Southeastern Conference Championship Game.
The Crimson Tide held Georgia to seven points as Alabama carried a 17-7 lead at halftime.
Carson Beck led the Bulldogs on a touchdown drive in its first possession; however, the Tide held it out of the end zone after its first drive. Caleb Downs, Trezmen Marshall, and Deontae Lawson are tied for the team lead with three tackles. Lawson, Marshall, Malachi Moore, and Dallas Turner each have a tackle for loss. Turner posted a sack of Beck in the first half of the SEC title game.
Georgia converted on third down in the first half on six attempts. Alabama’s offense has not looked pretty, but Jalen Milroe has two touchdowns. He found running back Jam Miller on a wheel route for a score and Jermaine Burton for a 15-yard touchdown.
Roydell Williams leads the team in rushing with 41 yards on eight carries. Alabama needs to keep its defensive intensity in the second half. Tommy Rees has to get the offense into more of a comfortable rhythm in the second half if it wants to beat Georgia.
The Tide is halfway to an SEC Championship, but it needs to finish.
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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.
