The SEC’s best face off in the collegiate football national championship

The stage is set and both teams have the same objective: to emerge national champions.  The number one seeded Alabama Crimson Tide take on the number three seeded Georgia Bulldogs in the College National Football Championship on Jan.10 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. 

The notorious Crimson Tide are the reigning national champions and have built a consistently strong program, winning seven championships since 1992. The Bulldogs on the other hand have not won a national title since 1980. The Georgia program has slowly made the climb over the past few seasons, but in the 2021 season, Georgia has made the jump from very good to great. The stakes are high for Georgia as it is their chance to solidify their incredible season, but the pressure is on for Alabama to win back-to-back titles. 

Alabama and Georgia’s previous meeting was highly anticipated too, as the rivals faced each other in the SEC Championship game on Dec. 4, 2021. Georgia was favored after their undefeated season, but this game against Alabama was their ultimate test. They had to beat the best to become the best. Georgia got off to a quick 10-0 lead, but Alabama quickly responded, scoring a field goal and two consecutive touchdowns to make the game turn in their favor 17-10. Alabama took complete dominance of the game and emerged SEC champs with a 41-24 win.   
The key to Alabama’s success against Georgia in the conference final was their ability to expose their defense. Georgia’s defense has allowed a nation low average of 9.5 points a game, keeping 12 of their last 14 opponents to under 14 points. Nick Saban, Alabama’s brilliant coach, Heisman trophy winner Bryce Young and the rest of the offenses’ talent, exposed the best defense in America. If Alabama can find a way to have the same offensive success, the Crimson Tide will have an easy time bringing the trophy back to Tuscaloosa.

Although both teams come into this game confident that they can win , Georgia enters with a chip on their shoulder. With a chance to change their recent history against Alabama, The Bulldogs prepare for the National Championship game with one goal in mind: revenge. If Stetson Bennet, Georgia’s quarterback, can replicate his success against the University of Michigan in the Orange Bowl against Alabama on Monday, the Bulldogs will find themselves in a good spot. However, in order to stop the Crimson Tide offense, the Georgia defense will have to bring their A game. Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean and defensive tackle Jordan Davis look to lead the defense and set the tone early on. Dean received the 2021 Butkus Award, the award given to the most outstanding linebacker in college football, while Davis received the Bednarik Award, the honor presented to the best defensive player in college football. Georgia’s defense is considered the best for a reason, but for Georgia to win their first national championship in 42 years, they need to shut down the talented Crimson Tide offense. Regardless of who takes home the national championship, this matchup is highly anticipated with fans eagerly awaiting kickoff.

Photo Credit: Alabama vs. Clemson National Championship by Amy Meredith is licensed under (CC BY-ND 2.0)