3 Keys: How Georgia Conquers the Crimson Tide

All offseason, Georgia had to deal with the bad taste left in its mouth from the end of the 2023 season. While the Orange Bowl domination was nice, there was no forgetting the SEC Championship loss to Alabama that ended Georgia's unbeaten streak, left the Dawgs out of the College Football Playoff and effectively ended their season. Fortunately, Georgia gets an opportunity at revenge early this season. Rather than waiting all offseason and grinding through the regular season for a chance to see the Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship, Georgia gets its chance early. 

Nick Saban may not be the opposition anymore, but the opportunity to remind the nation that Georgia belongs at the top while defeating Alabama is about as good as it gets. 

Here are 3 Keys to Victory on Saturday night. 

Aggressive Passing Game

With Kalen DeBoer leading Alabama and Kane Wommack as defensive coordinator, this Alabama defense looks much different than we've been accustomed to over the previous decade. For starters, this isn't the NFL-ready defense we've seen in the past. More importantly, schematically, this defense is far from what Saban's was.  

Under Kane Wommack this season, Alabama has primarily been in nickel and has played over 100 snaps of man coverage. The defense has held up well in those snaps, but they haven't played a team as capable through the air as Georgia. 

This gives Georgia a unique opportunity to take advantage through the air, especially following a lackluster performance at Kentucky. We won't be seeing London Humphreys, and it's unlikely we'll see Sacovie White. However, the core group of receivers in Dominic Lovett, Dillon Bell, Colbie Young and Arian Smith will be involved early and often. 

Matched up against man coverage, Carson Beck is more than capable of attacking a defense, and Georgia's receivers could see plenty of one-on-one looks on the outside facing a single-high safety.

I think this is the week for Georgia's offense to impress, and an aggressive game plan should allow the offense to flourish. 

QB Contain

With Jalen Milroe leading Alabama's offense, it is imperative to take away his legs. So far on the season, Milroe has 36 carries, averaging over 4 YPC and six touchdowns, with the longest run of 40 yards. If Georgia can take away this part of Alabama's offense, or at least limit it, Georgia will be in a great position to win the game.

To take away Milroe's rushing attack, the responsibility will fall on the front seven, which to this point in Georgia's season has impressed. However, against Kentucky, the group struggled to contain the outside run, specifically the linebackers. 

Georgia has been facing issues of depth on the defensive line, but might be getting Mykell Williams and Warren Brinson back, even if not at full strength. That should help the position group share snaps, as against Kentucky, the line was thin. Simply put, Georgia's going to have to limit Milroe's rushing ability and do a better job of getting off the field. If Alabama has a major plays run advantage at the half or entering the fourth quarter, I worry how Georgia's front seven will hold up as the game continues. 

Third-Down Success

Speaking of getting off the field, success on third down will play a large role in that. Against Kentucky, in what is typically a strong suit of Georgia's, it wasn't. That poor showing led to a game that came down to the very end in an unexpected one-point victory. 

Kentucky converted 9/16 third downs and on offense, Georgia was only 5/13. That area needs to be better against Alabama to extend drives and keep the defense off the field as much as possible. 

On offense, the key here is an effective run game behind an offensive line that needs to have a better performance, despite the loss of Tate Ratledge. On defense, Georgia must force Alabama into obvious passing situations, like third and long. 

Prediction

It's hard to remember a regular-season game with as much hype and anticipation as this one. Even with a 12-team College Football Playoff, this game is as important as any, especially for the perception of each coach. Can Kalen DeBoer keep Alabama at or near the same level it was under Nick Saban? Can Kirby Smart beat Alabama, now without Saban?

I think that there are more ways in which Georgia can win this game than there are for Alabama. As Graham Coffey mentioned, I love where the mindset is and the public perception of this Georgia team currently. It feels like Georgia is coming into this game as an underdog, even if certain lines still reflect Georgia as the favorite.  

I think Georgia's offense takes a big step forward and can execute shots to the outside, taking advantage of the man-coverage Alabama plays. On Saturday, I think Georgia reminds everyone why they were regarded as the National Championship favorite preseason. Georgia goes into Bryant-Denny and leaves with a win. 

Georgia - 24

Alabama - 17