No. 2 Georgia walks into Saturday’s showdown with No.
6 Alabama looking every bit like a heavyweight. The Bulldogs are unbeaten, rolling through opponents and stacking up eye-catching numbers.
But the real question hanging over this trip to Bryant-Denny Stadium is a simple one: how much of that dominance is proof, and how much is schedule?
Georgia has handled Tennessee State, Western Kentucky, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Vanderbilt, winning by scores of 63-3, 70-20, 45-17, 41-13 and 38-14. That’s a clean run, but it hasn’t exactly been a gauntlet. The Bulldogs’ schedule ranks 97th in strength so far, which tells the story pretty plainly: Georgia has looked dominant, but it hasn’t really been pushed.
That doesn’t make the Bulldogs a mirage. It does mean Saturday is their first real chance to show how high the ceiling actually is.
Alabama has been tested a little more, with the No. 23 strength of schedule and a résumé that includes one ranked opponent in Mississippi State and another that later became ranked in Kentucky. The Crimson Tide’s toughest stretch still appears to be ahead in October, but this one should tell us plenty about both teams.
What Georgia has done to this point is still impressive. The Bulldogs rank No. 1 in scoring offense in the SEC and the entire FBS at 51.4 points per game. They’ve also been sharp on third down, converting 54.9% of their chances, which leads the SEC and ranks sixth nationally.
The defense has held up, too. Georgia is allowing just 13.4 points per game, tied for 12th in the FBS and second in the SEC behind Texas.
In total defense, the Bulldogs are No. 7 at 244.6 yards allowed per game. The offense sits at No. 22 overall with 478.8 yards per game.
The run game has been productive, with Georgia ranking No. 26 at 213 yards per game, while the defense has been especially stingy against the run at No. 6 nationally, giving up just 57.4 yards per game. Through the air, Georgia is No. 39 in passing offense at 265.8 yards per game and No. 42 in passing defense at 187.2 yards allowed per game.
Gunner Stockton is back under center and putting together a strong start. He has completed 77 of 102 passes for 1,049 yards, 13 touchdowns and one interception, while also rushing 20 times for 122 yards.
The backfield has been spread around, with Nate Frazier leading the team on the ground. He has 26 carries for 211 yards, an 8.1-yard average, and five rushing touchdowns. Dwight Phillips Jr. has added 20 carries for 160 yards and one score, Bo Walker has 20 carries for 134 yards, and Chauncey Bowens has 35 carries for 124 yards and six touchdowns.
At receiver, Craig Dandridge leads Georgia with 177 receiving yards and a touchdown. Talyn Taylor is right behind him with 12 catches for 176 yards and three scores. Sacovie White-Helton and Bowens have each caught 10 passes, and Lawson Luckie has been a factor at tight end with six receptions for 111 yards and a score.
Defensively, Raylen Wilson leads the team with 25 tackles and three sacks. Justin Williams and Gabe Harris Jr. are two more names to keep in mind up front, with each recording two sacks.
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Kirby Smart Just Validated Alabamas Identity Ahead Of Georgia
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Ahead of Georgia, Kirby Smart offered a clear nod to that approach, pointing to Alabamas physicality, size and the way the roster has been built through recruiting and the transfer portal. He also singled out quarterback Keelon Russell for the progress he has made, a sign that Georgia is seeing more than just a bruising defense when it studies Alabama. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Is Right In The Middle Of A Growing SEC Stadium Debate
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That backdrop has Alabama right in the middle of a growing SEC debate about what kind of stadium future makes the most sense. Some schools and cities can dream about domes, but the costs and market realities can make those ideas hard to pull off, and there is still plenty of disagreement over whether football should ever be played inside one in the first place. [Read more 🡒]
Aden Holloways Return Comes With An Early Alabama Setback
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Greg Byrne said Holloway accepted responsibility and took the steps required to move forward, including community service, screenings and fines. For Alabama, the arrangement means Holloway can still be part of the programs long-term plans, even if the opening portion of the schedule will go by without him on the floor. [Read more 🡒]