Alabama is great, but let’s not forget who the reigning SEC Champions are.
Heading into the SEC Championship game, Alabama has all the hype. The Crimson Tide are favored by almost two touchdowns. From CBS Sports to ESPN, every news outlet is picking Georgia football to lose. If you listened to the media, you would believe that Georgia doesn’t even belong on the same field as Alabama. If you believe that, you’re wrong.
The notion that Alabama is a far superior team is pure nonsense. The two SEC heavyweights are near spitting images of each other. Although the Dawgs have had somewhat of an issue with their pass rush at points this season, they still have an extremely talented defensive line. D’Andre Walker and Jonathan Ledbetter are talented defensive lineman that can dominate their opponent. Both teams have tough, physical linebackers that can run sideline to sideline. Both teams have an extremely talented secondary as well.
Offensively, they might be even more similar. While Tua Tagovailoa is getting all of the headlines, Jake Fromm is an extremely talented quarterback as well. Not only is Fromm the only one of the two that’s been in this situation before, but the sophomore is currently posting a 179.4 passer rating to go along with 24 touchdowns and only five interceptions.
Georgia may arguably have a better stable of running backs as well. D’Andre Swift and Elijah Holyfield are the best running back duo in the nation, and they both have more rushing yards on the season than Alabama’s leading rusher (Damien Harris). Between Jerry Jeudy, Jaylen Waddle, and others, the Alabama has a multitude of different weapons on the outside. The same can also be said for Georgia, as Mecole Hardman leads a talented group of receivers.
Statistically speaking, the similarities continue. Both teams are averaging over 40 points per game. Georgia is allowing opponents to score less than five points more than the Tide, and the Dawgs are allowing a about 20 yards more than Bama. On the flip side, Georgia’s 11th ranked rushing attack is averaging 258.2 yards per game, while Alabama’s 31st ranked rushing attack is averaging 207.4 yards per game.
Georgia has already proved that they can go toe-to-toe with Alabama. Georgia, not Alabama, are the reigning SEC Champions. The Dawgs aren’t going into Atlanta with the hopes of slaying Goliath, they’re defending their own crown.