Georgia and Alabama have been the most prolific teams in college football since 2010, with Alabama claiming five national titles and UGA two- the last two. Today, these Southeastern Conference East-West division champs face off once again for the SEC Championship, with a potential national championship riding on the outcome.
UGA dominated this year, averaging 40 points for/16 points against in 2023, for a 24-point victory margin. But today’s game isn’t another game on the schedule; it’s the biggest game of the year–and in just about any recent year–for these two schools. The game is for the Southeastern Conference championship and a ticket to the College Football Playoff.
That’s the aspiration for the #1-ranked Bulldogs and #8 ‘Bama.
This year, UGA has been in the CFP mix from the beginning, recently dropping from #1 to #2 and being replaced by Ohio State, only to leapfrog the Buckeyes after they lost at Michigan last week. Meanwhile, ‘Bama never entered the top echelon of CFP teams, having lost in Week 2 to Texas at home. Given that contrast, the word on the street is that Georgia will likely nail a playoff spot even if it loses today’s game.
But when these titans play, throw out the line (-4.0 Georgia) and the ESPN Matchup Predictor (52% Bulldogs). That’s because it’s a lace-up and play-the-game contest. Please don’t leave the stadium before they turn out the lights, and don’t slip into slumber.
Previous SEC Championship games have told a tale of two halves, just like the 2018 SEC Championship when the Dawgs took on the #1-ranked Crimson Tide. UGA led 28-14 in the third quarter but couldn’t hold the lead. The Tide scored 21 unanswered points to win 35-28.
The 2023 Bulldogs boast a solid running game with Daijun Edwards (781 yards, 5.3 per per-carry-average, and 11 TDs) and Kendall Milton (644 yards, 6.5 per-carry-average, 10 TDs). They also have a proficient quarterback in Carson Beck, who has thrown for nearly 3500 yards this year and has 22 TDs to his credit. Tight end and leading receiver Brock Bowers (661 yards, 6 TDs, 13.0 yards-per-catch) round out a potent offense that rolled up almost 6,000 yards of total offense.
The battle for Southern supremacy is today at 4 p.m., airing on CBS from Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.
