Did The College Football National Championship Happen in October?:
The Alabama v. Georgia Football Game that Left Tuscaloosa in Madness
Frazier v. Ali, Bird v. Johnson, Red Sox v. Yankees, Duke v. North Carolina. Why not add one more rivalry – the Alabama Crimson Tide v. the Georgia Bulldogs.
Alabama football is undoubtedly a powerhouse. With 30 conference championships, 15 national championships, four Heisman Trophy winners, and the second most wins in college football history, Alabama has set the standard for how to dominate on the field. However, with Nick Saban, the long-time Alabama coach, retiring after last season, the program’s future is under question. Kalen DeBoer, the former University of Washington head coach, has taken over the reins in Tuscaloosa, leading Alabama to an early 3-0 record through their bye week. Entering the long-awaited matchup against the University of Georgia, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe recorded 746 total yards and 14 total touchdowns, commanding the offense to over 40 points in each of their past three games. The commencement of Alabama’s season couldn’t have gone better, but Alabama’s true test was still on the horizon.
On the other hand, Alabama’s opponent prepared for the battle as well. The Georgia Bulldogs, ranked number two in CFB polls, kicked off their season in typical Georgia fashion – undefeated. The men in Athens have dominated the college scene for the past seven years under head coach Kirby Smart, recording an 86-11 record since 2017. The Bulldogs have also won back-to-back championships during the 2021 and 2022 seasons and produced 19 first round NFL draft picks this decade (Saturday Down South). Georgia has a tremendous amount of talent on the team to say the least. Quarterback Carson Beck is heavily favored to win the Heisman Trophy and Mykel Williams is predicted to go in the first round of the draft in April.
With both teams coming off of their bye weeks, Alabama v. Georgia was set to kickoff at 7:30 PM. Alabama took an unexpected 28-point lead by the start of the second quarter, holding Georgia to zero points for the majority of the first half. In this time, Jalen Milroe recorded two rushing touchdowns and one passing touchdown in the first 30 minutes of play. Alabama blew Georgia out of the water and left Carson Beck with two interceptions entering halftime. The game seemed to be over as Alabama’s offense ran through Georgia’s defensive scheme.
With many viewers turning off their televisions and Georgia fans in complete disbelief from their team’s breakdown, Georgia returned to their normal form of play and crept back into the game. Beck threw for 439 yards and three touchdowns, giving Georgia the lead in the last few minutes of the fourth quarter. Alabama had let the Bulldogs hang around and couldn’t figure out a way to extinguish the fire brewing on the Georgia sideline. Now with the game on the line, Jalen Milroe desperately needed to step up or else Georgia’s comeback would be engraved in the record books. Jalen Milroe did just that. With one throw on the Crimson Tides’ 25-yard line, Milroe connected with Ryan Williams, a 17-year-old freshman, to score a 75-yard touchdown to win the game. Alongside star wide-receiver Ryan Williams’ 177 reception yards, Milroe ended the day with almost 500 total yards and four touchdowns to take down number two ranked Georgia.
This seemingly lopsided game in the first half turned out to be a complete thriller by the end of the game, demonstrating the electric atmosphere that SEC football brings to each Saturday. Although the game is over, this won’t be the last time Alabama and Georgia face off this season. The two powerhouses are bound to meet again either in the 12 team college football playoffs or during the SEC postseason. For now, though, ESPN ranks Alabama as the number one team in the nation, while Georgia falls to the fifth spot.
There is no place like college football. Marked by a game of inches and a sport filled with passionate fans, one night in Tuscaloosa can change the direction of the whole season.
Ryan Wolff
Indresh Chandel