Can Georgia outSmart the Tide for the CFB title?
ATHENS, Ga. (BVM) – With the 2022 CFP National Championship slated for tonight in Indianapolis, sportsbooks are undecided – do the Bulldogs have what it takes to end their 0-7 losing streak against the Crimson Tide? Or will Alabama continue its sheer dominance and earn the program its fourth national title in eight seasons? Let’s break it down.
Georgia’s last win streak
Prior to Nick Saban’s residency in Tuscaloosa, the Bulldogs saw success with then-head coach Mark Richt. In 2002 and 2003, Georgia came out on top and beat Mike Shula’s Crimson squad 27-25 and 37-35, respectively. The next matchup between the two rivals came in 2007 during Saban’s first year as head coach. This would be the only win Georgia would record over Saban, edging Alabama 26-23 in a thrilling overtime win. The Bulldogs hosted the Crimson Tide the following year in Athens and suffered a 41-30 loss, which began their seven-game losing streak that continues today.
Championship game woes
The 2012 SEC Championship game left Georgia fans heartbroken after their team entered the fourth quarter leading 21-18. Bama quarterback A.J. McCarron tied the game with just over three minutes on the clock, and the Bulldogs ultimately fell, 32-28.
The rivalry was amplified again in 2018 when No. 3 Georgia faced No. 4 Alabama in the CFP National Championship. The Bulldogs led 13-0 at halftime but couldn’t overcome Crimson Tide rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as he brought the team back to life. Tagovailoa tossed the winning touchdown to DeVonta Smith in OT and beat the Bulldogs, 26-23.
The following season, both teams won their division through the regular season and went head-to-head in the 2018 SEC Championship game once again. And following recent tradition, Alabama came back from a 28-14 deficit to beat the Bulldogs, 35-28.
The next and final championship matchup came in the 2021 SEC Championship game after Georgia’s first undefeated regular season since 1982. The Bulldogs entered the game in the No. 1 spot in the CFP rankings. Alabama had suffered a midseason loss to Texas A&M and was ranked No. 3. Despite being projected to win, Georgia fell, 41-24, and recorded the program’s only loss of the season.
The future is… bright?
Georgia enters tonight’s championship game with vengeance. After coming up short against Alabama in the SEC title game back on Dec. 4, this is a must win for both the program and sixth-year head coach Kirby Smart. A former assistant coach under Saban from 2007-15, their personal rivalry — albeit lopsided at the moment — has the potential to shift. Georgia’s upside on paper may have a slight edge over Alabama, so perhaps tonight is the night.
