Georgia will beat Alabama this Saturday. But not because of Kirby Smart's 33 game win-streak at Sanford Stadium or because Gunner Stockton is a great quarterback. The most important stat that will determine the winner is Kalen DeBoer's record on the road as the Alabama head coach.
All the pressure is on Alabama
DeBoer's record at Alabama is 2-4. Let that sink in. Two wins in six away games. Which even the Tuscaloosa News called lackluster.
And now the Crimson Tide are playing between the hedges in a night game with 93,000 fans ignited by being dissed by ESPN GameDay for Penn State. Coach Smart has had a bye week to prepare, and the Bulldogs have had an extra week to heal, strengthen up, and focus in on beating the Tide. Add in the immense pressure on DeBoer and Georgia has the perfect set up for a big win on Saturday.
Georgia is ranked in the top 10, Alabama is not. DeBoer's road record is horrible, yet Smart's home record leads all of college football. Alabama had a thoroughly disappointing season last year at 9-4 and didn't even make the College Football Playoff, while Georgia won the SEC and got a bye into the second round. With all this pounding down upon the Tide's coaching staff, it gives rise to bad decision-making and possibly overpreparation. That means mistakes in the game and lack of focus could be on the horizon for Alabama.
Pundits will chime in with this stat or that key point, but a 33 percent winning percentage for away games as the Alabama head coach has DeBoer possibly trying to prove something and quiet critics and keep himself off a warmed up hot seat with the Crimson Tide fans and decision makers. So who knows what will happen this weekend, but there is a great chance UGA will extend their home winning streak to 34 this weekend.