Strong run defense the difference

ATLANTA — Alabama’s vaunted defense is about to face perhaps college football’s best running back duo.

Those kinds of matchups tend to work out pretty well for the fourthranked Crimson Tide, which shuts down opposing ground games better than anybody.

Only Auburn in the regular-season meeting has truly contained Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. With the nation’s top defense, Alabama is well equipped to at least defend them well enough to win tonight’s national championship game.

Leading that charge will be linebacker Rashaan Evans, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne. Payne is ready to get back to doing what he does best after a Sugar Bowl interception and touchdown catch.

“I’ve just been trying to focus on being dominant up front,” Payne said.

Being dominant up front, on both sides of the ball, has been a big part of Alabama’s success under coach Nick Saban. This team’s no different.

Alabama also has a veteran secondary to contend with the passing of Georgia quarterback

Jake Fromm. Fromm has had a terrific freshman season, but he struggled when Auburn’s defense held Chubb and Michel to a combined 48 rushing yards.

The Tide have to replace yet another starting linebacker with Anfernee Jennings out with a knee injury sustained in the Sugar Bowl win over Clemson. That leaves probably Terrell Lewis or Jamey Mosley to start.

If history holds up, Alabama will have an edge in another regard. Saban has a perfect track record against former assistants like Georgia coach Kirby Smart. He’s

11-0 and none of them have come closer than 17 points against his Tide teams.

Alabama is a slight favorite for this game, just like in the semifinals, but can summon up a little extra motivation from critics of the Tide’s choice over Big Ten champion Ohio State for the final playoff spot. It all worked to the tune of a 24-6 win in the playoff rematch with the Tigers.

“The real challenge will be: Can we duplicate that kind of energy in this game?” Saban said.

Prediction: Alabama 31, Georgia 17

HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans (32) and teammates with the nation’s top defense warm up during practice at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday.