With an extra week to prepare, the Georgia Bulldogs must find some answers within themselves to finally stop the Alabama Crimson Tide below The Mason-Dixon Line. Ever since Nick Saban took over the program, Georgia is a pitiful 2-9 vs. Alabama. The Dawgs have lost nine of their last 10 meetings to the Tide, but did get one past them in the 2021 National Championship Game up in Indianapolis.
Last year's game in Tuscaloosa was every bit the barn-burner, as Ryan Williams' late-game heroics lifted the Tide and sank the Dawgs in the final minute. While both teams may have a new starting quarterback this year, it may come down to which secondary does a better job of containing their best offensive weapons. While Zachariah Branch has been great so far, but Georgia really needs him.
On the season, Branch has 11 catches for 181 yards and two touchdowns. He is averaging essentially four grabs a game for 60 yards and just under a touchdown. Although he does not have to do it all within the context of Mike Bobo's offense, can Glenn Schumann's defense do anything to stop the Crimson Tides' two-headed monster outside the numbers? Williams and Germie Bernard could eat...
Georgia is the slight home favorite over the Crimson Tide, but Branch has to keep pace with them.
Zachariah Branch must play on Germie Bernard and Ryan Williams' level
On the year, Bernard has 15 catches for 275 yards and three touchdowns. He is averaging five grabs a game for a tick over 90 yards and a touchdown per ball game. Williams missed the ULM game due to a concussion suffered in Week 1's loss to Florida State. He still has 10 catches for 195 yards and touchdowns. In short, he is averaging the exact same amount of production as his running mate is.
Even though Georgia has been able to run the football far more effectively this season than Alabama, it should be noted that Alabama really loves to sling it with Ty Simpson at quarterback. He is not a perfect player, but he is starting to give off the good kind of Mac Jones vibes everyone saw over in Tuscaloosa back in 2020. Gunner Stockton has outplayed Simpson this year, but it is not by much.
Ultimately, Branch needs to feed off the home crowd's energy to give Dawg Nation arguably his best game as a collegiate. Georgia could have a miserable time taking away both star Alabama receivers. It is why being able to get quick, explosive plays out of Branch is more paramount than ever. Winning the turnover battle is priority No. 1, but being able to score on a defensive breakdown has to be No. 2.
Should Georgia win this game to get to 4-0, Branch will have be a big reason for that over on offense.