On Sept. 28, the number-two ranked Georgia Bulldogs took on the number-four ranked Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa. Alabama was in an interesting situation, being the home underdogs..
Any college football fan will agree, this matchup is like having the super bowl early. These are the two most legendary teams in football. Every preseason poll for the past several years has predicted these two teams with the best chance to win a national championship.
The game started about as bad as it could for the Bulldogs. On the Tide’s first drive, Jalen Milroe walked into the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown run. With Alabama up 7-0, Georgia started their night with a three and out, being forced to punt. Just six plays later, Alabama quarterback Milroe added to his hot start to the game with a touchdown pass. Up 14-0, the Tide intercepted Bulldog quarterback Carson Beck’s pass.
By halftime, Alabama had a 30-7 lead. Most fans stopped watching the game at this point. The Tide was cruising to an easy win which would establish once and for all that they were the front runners for the SEC championship.
The Bulldogs scored the first touchdown of the second half, making it 30-15. At the time, this seemed like an insignificant score. The deal was already done, Georgia was losing this game. However, the Bulldogs scored three more unanswered touchdowns to take the lead 34-33 with just 2:31 left in the game.
The Bulldog lead lasted just 13 seconds, as the Tide ripped off an insane 75-yard touchdown play to make it 41-34.
Georgia’s Carson Beck orchestrated a fantastic drive to end the game, but it fell short after Alabama defensive back Zabien Brown intercepted a pass in the end zone to end the game.
Alabama’s Jalen Milroe ended the game with 374 passing yards and two touchdowns. Georgia’s Carson Beck ended the game with 439 passing yards and three touchdowns.
The biggest problem viewers had with the 12-team playoff system when it was first introduced was that it would take significance from the regular season. However, that was not the case in Tuscaloosa that night. The game between the Tide and the Bulldogs became an instant classic as well as an amazing showcase for why college football is so entertaining.
by Ollie Hammonds
