Why Alabama will win
Whether the Tide or Dawgs capture the crown, one thing is clear: It’s the SEC’s world
If it’s not easy beating a team a second time, it’s likely even harder to do it using the same formula.
But No. 1 Alabama does have enough ways it can attack opposing defenses, even a dominant one like third-ranked Georgia has, to win the College Football Playoff championship game Monday night in Indianapolis.
The Crimson Tide features two of the top players in college football: Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Bryce Young and linebacker Will Anderson. And Alabama’s defense has proven to be quite formidable even if its been overshadowed at times.
The Alabama isn’t shying away from the challenge beating a team twice in just over a month.
“I don’t think it’s tough having to play somebody twice,” Tide defensive coordinator Pete Golding said. “I mean, I know everybody talks about that and all that. But if you look at the NFL, you’re playing everybody in your division twice.”
Georgia may have extra motivation coming out of the locker room. But Alabama has the confidence from having done it before.
The Tide dominated the Bulldogs 41-24 in the Southeastern Conference championship game with Young passing for 421 yards and a hobbled Brian Robinson Jr. running for 55.
Then the Tide clamped down on Cincinnati 27-6 in the Cotton Bowl. In that CFP semifinal, Young yielded the starring role. The sophomore passed for 181 yards, while Robinson’s 204 rushing yards paved the way for the offense.
An injury to wide receiver John Metchie III after nearly reaching 100 yards in the first half changed the offensive dynamics.
But freshman Ja’Corey Brooks and other receivers have shown flashes that could help them complement All-America receiver Jameson Williams in the rematch with Georgia along with veteran Slade Bolden. Tight ends Jahleel Billingsley and Cameron Latu are capable of making plays, too.
The Bulldogs, like most teams, had scant success containing Williams in the SEC title game. O’Brien and his offensive coaches have found ways to keep getting him the ball, often downfield.
Alabama’s offensive line will play a significant role in the outcome. The unit has been strong since giving up seven sacks against Auburn. And it will have to be against Georgia’s defensive front led by Jordan Davis.
Defensively, Alabama will be looking to slow down Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers, who had 10 catches in Atlanta, and contain Georgia’s running game.
The Crimson Tide are confident they’ll be able to get in done. Nick Saban has had tremendous success making adjustments in a second meeting against a team, especially defensively.
The experience in tight contests another edge that could title the game in the Crimson Tide’s favor.
— John Zenor, Associated Press
Why Georgia will win
Former longtime Georgia coach Vince Dooley loves history — especially the kind he says favors his beloved Bulldogs.
Dooley believes a rematch will work in Georgia’s advantage against Alabama on Monday. Dooley also has faith Georgia’s defense will fare better in its second chance against Young.
“In most cases, not all, it’s tough to beat good teams again for the second time,” Dooley told The Associated Press earlier this week. “I’m hopeful that’s what is going to happen.”
The psychological edge that comes with the rematch favors Georgia. The extra motivation helps, but the best reason to pick the Bulldogs is the defense which carried the team all season.
Dooley, 89, plans to attend the game after recently testing positive for COVID-19 but recovering from symptoms he said were “kind of like a cold. I’m OK and ready to go.”
Dooley won 201 games Georgia’s coach for 25 years, from 1964 to 1988. With Dooley as coach, Georgia won its last national championship in 1980, beating Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl.
Dooley’s 1982 team, led by Heisman Trophy winning tailback Herschel Walker, won its third consecutive SEC title and was undefeated before losing to Penn State in the Sugar Bowl.
This season’s Bulldogs completed their first undefeated regular season since the 1982 team and were ranked No. 1 before before losing to Alabama 41-24 in the SEC championship game.
Georgia responded to the loss with an impressive 34-11 win over Michigan in the CFP semifinal Orange Bowl on Dec. 31.
The rout of Michigan stands as the Bulldogs’ response to those who suspect they were exposed as overrated in their SEC championship game loss to Alabama.
The Bulldogs proved they indeed have a dominant defense, as they showed in the regular season. And history also is on their side.
Dooley cited several instances of teams winning SEC or national championships in rematches, including Alabama’s second-chance win over LSU in the 2011 BCS national championship game. Dooley also recalled Georgia’s 28-7 win over Auburn in the 2017 SEC championship game after losing to the Tigers in the regular season.
Smart said the inability to pressure Young in the SEC championship game “wasn’t for a lack of trying.”
“And we brought a lot of different pressures,” Smart said Monday. “They did a good job picking those pressures up. And at the end of the day, there’s four or five guys that are one-on-one up there. Somebody’s got to win one-on-one.”
Georgia’s defense won those battles all season. If Dooley’s history lessons prove correct, the defense will help the Bulldogs end their 40-year national championship drought.
— Charles Odum, Associated Press