Georgia is 5-0 but they really haven't faced any true challenge yet this season. That changes this Saturday night in Tuscaloosa when they play Alabama in their home stadium at night.
This game can decide the rest of the season for Georgia. Kirby Smart will coach up his players as much as he wants, but they will still have to face three of best players they've seen all season.
1. QB Keelon Russell
Keelon Russell had the usual hype of any Alabama quarterback heading into the season, but he is hitting his stride now after a breakout game against Mississippi State this past weekend. He finished the game with three passing touchdowns, 285 passing yards and one rushing touchdowns.
Georgia's defense has struggled getting to the quarterback at times this season and containing a dual-threat QB will always be challenging, but that is what Georgia's defense faces this season.
2. WR Ryan Coleman-Williams
Ryan Williams is an elusive receiver that had a workmanlike Saturday in Starkville with three receptions for 43 yards and one touchdown. His average yards pr reception is what Georgia should be concerned about at 14.3 yards.
Those are all automatic first downs and momentum shifting plays, and given how badly Georgia's secondary got burned against Vanderbilt in the first half Williams could explode with a big game if they aren't careful.
3. WR Rico Scott
You may not have heard Rico Scott's name much, but you will now. He blew up the Mississippi State defense on Saturday with a shining stat line of four receptions for 56 yards and two receiving touchdown. Again, look at that yards per reception average of 14 yards. Explosive plays that can turn the game in a second.
Add the home-field frenzy Alabama fans bring to such plays and Scott may provide the double whammy to hammer Georgia's defense all night long.
If this was any other team Georgia fans would be a lot less worried, but there seems to be a mental block when the Bulldogs face the Crimson Tide. Sure they have won a few times, but Georgia has lost to Alabama under Kirby Smart more than they have won.
Making the SEC Championship game runs through Tuscaloosa because a win Saturday night can pave the way for them to make it to Atlanta. The defeat of a major nemesis will give Georgia the needed momentum as they face an upstart Missouri and a way-more-talented Florida. Not to mention a revenge game against Ole Miss.
Will Georgia dominate? Not likely, in fact they are underdogs to Alabama right now. But they can play to the level of their combined talent and make a decisive statement to themselves, to Bama, and to the constant naysayers who underestimate Smart and the Bulldogs.
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