The college football champion for the 2021 season will be crowned on Monday night in Indianapolis, when SEC rivals Alabama and Georgia meet in the playoff’s national title game.
The game is a rematch from last month, when the Crimson Tide defeated the then-No. 1 Bulldogs, 41-24, to advance to the playoffs and give coach Nick Saban his fourth victory in four attempts against former assistant Kirby Smart.
Saban is vying for his seventh national championship at Alabama and eighth overall, more than any other coach in major college football history. It would also be the Crimson Tide’s second repeat title under Saban, following their victories in 2011 and 2012.
Georgia will be attempting to snap a 41-year championship drought that began in 1980, during the freshman season of all-time great Herschel Walker. In the other recent meeting of conference opponents in the national championship, the Bulldogs lost to Alabama in the 2017 title game.
Alabama’s offence will include Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young at quarterback, Jameson Williams at receiver, and All-America linebacker Will Anderson, among other stars. Georgia will respond with a slew of defensive standouts, headlined by defensive tackle Jordan Davis and linebacker Naboke Dean.
Alabama reaps the benefits of a contentious decision
Georgia was attempting to defend a 13-12 lead early in the fourth quarter when quarterback Stetson Bennett was pressured and broke the pocket. The ball moved forward and dropped toward the sideline after being hit while he was in a throwing motion. Brian Branch recovered for the Crimson Tide, however the call was uncertain. After a lengthy video review, officials determined that the ball was awarded to Alabama at the Bulldogs’ 16.
With 10:14 remaining, Bryce Young connected Cameron Latu on third down for a touchdown, putting the Crimson Tide ahead. The Bulldogs’ only saving grace was that they blocked the next two-point convert and kept the score at 18-13. We’re only one touchdown away from seizing the lead. Can their offensive now produce enough points to get them into the end zone?
Alabama’s response is… another field goal.
As yet another drive stalls in the Georgia end zone, the Crimson Tide has four field goals. Bryce Young had two touchdown passes to put Alabama ahead before Alabama coach Nick Saban elected to shoot a field goal and cut his team’s deficit to 13-12 with less than 13 minutes remaining.
Georgia takes the lead with the game’s opening touchdown.
Someone has finally discovered the end zone!
After James Cook’s 67-yard rush placed the Bulldogs in scoring position, his senior sidekick Zamir White scored on a 1-yard touchdown run, giving the Bulldogs their first lead of the game, 13-9, with 1:20 left in the third quarter.
The pressure is completely on Alabama’s offence, which has only three field goals thus far.
Alabama makes changes and achieves results.
Without their two top receivers, the Crimson Tide needed to make some adjustments to their attack, beginning with their 2. The offensive coordinator put running back Brian Robinson on the ground early in the last drive before interspersing short throws to Robinson and wide receivers.
It threw the Georgia defence off guard, and tiredness appeared to set in. However, when Alabama reached their 30-yard line, the Bulldogs stiffened and forced a field goal. Will Reichard’s shot was blocked, and Alabama leads 9-6 with 3:18 remaining in the third quarter.
The Crimson Tide ran 17 plays for 68 yards and took 7:45 off clock and ended with no points.
Georgia makes the first turnover.
Bryce Young committed his first error of the game, forcing a deep throw to Jahleel Billingsley despite Georgia having two players in position to make the play. Christopher Smith intercepted the ball at the Alabama 43-yard line, giving the Bulldogs excellent field position.
It’s a rare blunder for the Heisman Trophy winner, who came into the game with 46 touchdowns and only five interceptions. But, with his two top receivers out, he appears to be struggling to connect with the inexperienced reserves on the field.
The Crimson Tide’s defence swiftly recovered the ball for Young, forcing Georgia into a three-and-out. To begin the following possession, Alabama was pinned on its 2.
Alabama leads Georgia by a field goal in the first half
Nobody scored in the first 30 minutes, then there were five scoring drives, with Alabama hitting three field goals and Georgia hitting two, making the score 9-6. There wasn’t meant to be a shootout.
Both teams’ rushing games were non-existent, leaving the quarterbacks to make the most of the big plays. Bryce Young passed for 206 yards and seemed more at ease than Stetson Bennett. With the departure of receiver Jameson Williams, the Crimson Tide’s experience at the position is scant. That will be something to keep an eye on in the second half. Georgia receives the ball to begin the second half. That drive might be crucial, since field position is important if the offence continues to sputter.
This game is not for you if you enjoy defensive and rough play. It’s a departure from prior versions of the title games, which featured shootouts. Hello and welcome to SEC football.
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As Alabama expands their advantage, a significant chance is lost
The Crimson Tide appear ready to increase their advantage to ten points after Cameron Latu’s 61-yard catch and run placed them inside the Georgia 10-yard line. Latu, on the other hand, lost a potential touchdown on the second snap following his great play. With 7 minutes left in the second quarter, Alabama was forced to kick its third field goal of the game, increasing its lead to 9-3.
It was a huge win for the Bulldogs, who are struggling offensively and couldn’t afford to fall down by 10 points. Rather, despite the Crimson Tide’s dominance, the game remains a one-score affair.
Alabama leads the field goal fight.
As the game nears the halfway mark of the second quarter, there have been no touchdowns. However, there have been three field goals. Alabama leads 6-3 after Will Reichard made a 45-yard field goal. The touchdown drive was hampered by the injury to Crimson Tide top receiver Jameson Williams on a 40-yard catch that set up the score.
Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams is hurt and has to leave the game
Williams received a 40-yard pass over the centre of the Georgia defence, but as he twisted to evade two opponents’ tackle attempts, he fell down grabbing his knee. Williams was assisted off the field and taken to the sideline injury tent for assessment.
Aside from Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young, Williams was the Crimson Tide’s most potent offensive weapon this season, with 1,507 yards and 15 touchdowns entering tonight’s game. Alabama is also without its other starting receiver, John Metchie III, who tore his ACL in the SEC championship game against Georgia.
In the third quarter, ESPN reporter Holly Rowe announced that Williams will not return.
Defenses dominating as Georgia, Alabama look for points
Three of the last four possessions have ended without first downs as both teams struggle to run the ball effectively and there is little time to throw. It’s not a huge surprise with the talent on both defenses and this is the way things started in the SEC championship game. A feeling-out process for sure.
Georgia has one yard offense after its two drives. Stetson Bennett still has not completed a pass. It’s early and things should loosen up as game wears on.
Shaky start for Georgia offense
It was a quick three-and-out for the Bulldogs on their opening possession as quarterbStetson Bennett was sacked on their first play. Bennett scrambled on second down to make for a manageable third down but then threw incomplete under pressure. Forced to punt, Jake Camarda delivered a 55-yard boot that flipped field position after a field catch. Alabama starts on its own 20 with 8:10 left in the first quarter.
Alabama takes early lead on Georgia
It’s 3-0 for the Crimson Tide after taking the opening kickoff and driving 56 yards in 14 plays before the series stalled. Will Reichard delivered a 37-yard field goal with 9:55 left for the first points of the game.
Alabama mixed run and pass for most of the possession, getting off quick passes as Georgia tried to bring pressure on Bryce Young. The Bulldogs had an touchdown overturned, but stiffened within 20 yards of the end zone. Not a bad start for the defense as it tries to reverse its struggles from the earlier meeting.
Georgia’s defensive score overturned
On the fourth play from scrimmage, it appeared the Bulldogs got on the board first when Jordan Davis hit Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. The ball appeared to be fumbled and was picked up by Nakobe Dean and returned for a touchdown. However, replay review showed Young had his arm coming forward and it was ruled an incomplete pass.
Alabama and Georgia ready to get started
It’s almost time to kick things off with the national championship on the line. Natalie Grant delivered a stirring rendition of the national anthem before both teams took the field. Alabama went first before Georgia entered with cameras flashing.
Georgia calls tails and wins the coin toss. Bulldogs elect to defer, which means Alabama and Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young take the field first. A good early look at how the Georgia defense will adjust after allowing 41 points in last month’s game.
Paths to victory for Alabama, Georgia in title game
Look for an early feeling-out period when the Alabama and Georgia meet on Monday night in the College Football Playoff national championship game. The Crimson Tide will look to see what the Bulldogs learned from last month’s loss. How Georgia tweaks a clearly flawed game plan — and how Alabama responds to a new defensive approach — might be the factor that ultimately decides this matchup of SEC powers. But it’s not the only ingredient needed to win. Boiled down, these are the steps that will pilot the Bulldogs or Crimson Tide to the top of college football.
– Paul Myerberg
Second Alabama-Georgia showdown won’t be a dud
These teams played just over a month ago for the SEC championship, and Alabama won in convincing fashion, 41-24. That won’t happen in this edition. Remember what happened the last time these schools squared off in the FCS championship four years ago. That one was nothing short of an instant classic, with Alabama rallying for a 26-23 overtime win on a walk-off TD pass.
We can’t promise a similar finish, but we do know that both teams have a whole lot of talent. Both coaching staffs have had several weeks to pore over the footage from this season’s previous encounter, so there will certainly be some adjustments on each side. In theory, this one should be a lot more competitive.
– Eddie Timanus
Steve Spurrier backs Georgia to win rematch with Alabama
Former Florida and South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier expects a rematch reversal when No. 1 Alabama faces No. 3 Georgia in the national championship on Monday. The Crimson Tide defeated Georgia 41-24 to win the SEC Championship on Dec. 4, but Spurrier has been bullish on the Bulldogs’ title chances throughout the season, and the first result didn’t dissuade his thinking.
“They’re due for the football gods to maybe smile on them this time,” Spurrier said.
