A key SEC showdown takes place Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala., as No. 16 Alabama hosts No. 22 Georgia, with the Tide -3.5 on WagerWeb.com.
Nick Saban has made an immediate impact with the 3-0 Crimson Tide, as Alabama is back in the Top 25 for the time since 2005 after last week's win over Arkansas.
Expect a close game, as the last two games between these teams at Bryant-Denny Stadium have been. In 2002, Georgia won 27-25 on a 32-yd field goal by Billy Bennett with 38 seconds remaining. In 1994, Alabama won 29-28 on a 32-yd FG by Michael Proctor with 72 seconds remaining.
Georgia pretty much has to win this game to have hopes of winning the SEC East, as the Bulldogs have lost a conference game already. Alabama, meanwhile, comes in on a high after coming from behind to win for the first time in 22 games.
The Crimson Tide are 23rd nationally in pass efficiency defense, but Georgia coach Mark Richt says the Bulldogs will try a vertical passing game.
"You want to sustain the drive. You don't want second-and-10. But sometimes you have to open it up. We need to do it more than we have," Richt said.
One key could be that Georgia will start three freshmen on the offensive line - left tackle Trinton Sturdivant, left guard Chris Davis and right tackle Clint Boling.
"None of those freshmen should be playing, to be honest with you," Richt said. "But they are."
Concerning for Alabama, despite last week's big win, is that the offense committed three turnovers, the defense gave up 450 yards to Darren McFadden & Co. and a 31-10 lead in the third quarter before rallying.
Just like Arkansas, Georgia features a strong, massive offensive front (albeit young) that could create matchup problems for Alabama's young defensive line.
So with a good offensive line, a talented quarterback in Matt Stafford and a solid group of running backs, the Bulldogs bring an offense to Tuscaloosa that could present problems for an Alabama defense that's one week removed from a very draining, physical game.
"Georgia is an outstanding team," Saban said. "They do a great job of executing on offense, have a fine young quarterback and have good skill players and running backs. (Georgia's) defense is physical and fast. Actually they are probably the fastest team we've played so far. It will take one of our best performances to play against an outstanding Georgia team this week."
Under Coach Mark Richt, the Bulldogs have won the last two meetings with Alabama, most recently a 37-23 victory on Oct. 4, 2003 in Athens. The Tide, though, lead the all-time series 34-23-4.
Look for a desperate Georgia team to eke out a victory this week.
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