If the Florida State Seminoles can beat the Alabama Crimson Tide at home coming off a disastrous 2-10 season with a transfer quarterback coming in, then the Georgia Bulldogs should have not problem protecting their home turf to keep their 33-game winning streak alive. Alabama is still a high-quality football team, but the Crimson Tide are another year removed from the Nick Saban era in Tuscaloosa.
While they were able to bounce back in their two games after the Florida State loss, Georgia has a lot of things going for it Between the Hedges that not even the 'Noles did at Doak Campbell. Simply put, Georgia has more depth and all-round talent than Florida State does right now. Most importantly, they have the quarterback in Gunner Stockton who can do what Tommy Castellanos did to beat Alabama.
When looking at the stats sheet of Florida State's shocking 31-17 Week 1 win over Alabama, just look at what Castellanos did and you will see the blueprint appear right before your eyes. While he only completed 9-of-14 passes for 152 yards on the day in less-than-stellar field conditions, he ran all over the Crimson Tide defense. He led the way with 16 carries for 78 yards and a rushing touchdown.
Stockton's dual-threat playmaking abilities are another reason why the Dawgs can win this game.
Gunner Stockton to channel his inner Tommy Castellanos to beat Bama
On the season, Stockton has completed 70.8 percent of his passes for 721 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in three games. As a runner, he has 28 carries for 124 yards and three rushing touchdowns. The recipe for success is pretty simple for Georgia vs. Alabama. Have your quarterback move the chains with his legs and be methodically precise in the passing game? It can be repeated.
What is important to understand is Ty Simpson and the Alabama passing game is still likely to get theirs. Simpson threw for a lot of yards in the Florida State defeat. If he is able to find his two star wide receivers in Germie Bernard and Ryan Williams, it could be a long night for the Alabama secondary. The other big key in this game is Alabama will have it starting running back available in Jam Miller.
In short, Georgia is not winning this game if the Dawgs do not play great defense. Keep in mind that Kalen DeBoer is a great offensive mind on the other sidelines for Alabama. Although playing great defense is paramount to Georgia finally getting the best of Alabama in a non-championship game setting, Stockton has to be the driving force for the Dawgs offensively. He needs to put it into gear.
If Stockton can do what he did vs. Tennessee on the road, he should be able to do it vs. Alabama.