Pat McAfee knew exactly what he was doing on Saturday morning in Tuscaloosa.
Sitting on ESPN’s “College GameDay” set at Coleman Coliseum with Nick Saban to one side and Bryce Young to the other, McAfee still fired off the kind of pick that was going to get a reaction. He backed Georgia to beat Alabama, and the moment he said it, Saban and Young stepped in.
Before the chaos, McAfee laid out his case for the Bulldogs and the Crimson Tide game.
“It’s been a nice little morning here at Coleman Coliseum,” McAfee Said. “Isaias tried to scare some people away.
Tried to scare some football away. The problem with all these people in Alabama is that they understand what’s coming down that track is a bunch of dogs that have been dominating every single team this season.
The Georgia Bulldogs haven’ trailed for a single second.
“Now, have they played anybody close to the Alabama football team?
“Absolutely not. (Alabama quarterback) Keelon Russell is unbelievable, the defense is stacked.
Kalen DeBoer has his system in place, his culture in place. These people are going to be going absolutely crazy tonight.
“Give me Georgia to beat everybody here.”
That was enough to bring Saban and Young into the conversation in a very hands-on way.
Before that moment, both of them were already leaning Alabama.
“I think Georgia has one of the most complete teams in the country,” Saban said. “I love (Georgia coach) Kirby (Smart).
He’s had a very consistent identity with his team’s being tough and physical and all of that, but I really like the togetherness of Alabama’s team this year. So, I’m going Roll Tide, baby.”
Young followed with his own Alabama support, pointing to the way the Tide were playing as a group.
“Being able to watch and seeing how the whole team plays together here at Bama, watching the togetherness, the secondary gelling, all the turnovers they are creating,” the Panthers quarterback said. “I think the X factor is Keelon Russell, watching him develop and watching how well he’s playing, watching him have command. I’m a huge fan.
“I think he’s super special, so, of course, Roll Tide.”
Desmond Howard also landed on Alabama in the matchup, citing the Tide’s recent battle-tested stretches.
“When it comes to game like this, I like to go with the team that has been battled tested,” Howard said. “You look at the Alabama team, obviously on the road against Kentucky, came back in the second half, they struggled against Florida State. They blew them out, so I’m going Roll Tide.”
The game itself had plenty of attention before kickoff, and the “GameDay” crew’s picks only added to it. Georgia entered with a striking stat line this decade, going 76-4 against everyone not named Alabama, while posting a 2-5 mark against the Tide over that span.
The full set of picks across the show covered a wide slate of games:
LSU at Kentucky - Howard, Saban, McAfee, Young and Herbstreit all picked LSU.
North Dakota St. at UNLV - Howard, Saban, McAfee, Young and Herbstreit all picked North Dakota State.
North Carolina at Pittsburgh - Howard picked Pitt, while Saban, McAfee, Young and Herbstreit went with North Carolina.
Houston at Kansas State - Howard, Saban and McAfee picked Houston, Young picked Houston too, and Herbstreit took Kansas State.
Texas A&M at Missouri - Howard, Saban, McAfee and Herbstreit picked Missouri, while Young went with Texas A&M.
South Carolina at Florida - all five picked Florida.
USC at Penn State - Howard, Saban, Young and Herbstreit picked USC, while McAfee chose Penn State.
UCLA at Oregon - Howard, Saban and McAfee picked Oregon, while Young and Herbstreit went with UCLA.
Indiana at Nebraska - Howard, Saban, McAfee, Young and Herbstreit all picked Indiana.
Texas vs. Oklahoma - Howard, Saban, McAfee, Young and Herbstreit all picked Texas.
Georgia at Alabama - Howard and Saban picked Alabama, McAfee picked Georgia, Young picked Alabama, and Herbstreit did not make a pick.
In Other News...
Alabama Could Get A Needed Offensive Boost For Georgia
Alabamas offense may be getting a timely lift just in time for the Georgia game, with tight end Josh Ford expected to be available after missing time with a broken arm and subsequent surgery. Ford practiced during the week, and coach Kalen DeBoer sounded encouraged about where things stood as the Tide worked through their final preparations for one of the biggest matchups on the schedule.
For an Alabama attack that could use every available option against Georgia, Fords presence would add another layer to the game plan and another body defenses have to account for. The injury picture around the SEC is still shifting, with Georgia expecting running back Nate Frazier back from bruised ribs while Chauney Bowens remains out, and other teams dealing with their own uncertainty as Floridas Vernell Brown III and Tennessee quarterback George MacIntyre head into the week with bigger questions of their own. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Gets Its Biggest Chance Yet To Prove It Belongs
Alabamas fast start has turned Saturday in Tuscaloosa into the kind of measuring stick that can tell you plenty about where a team really stands. The Crimson Tide and Georgia arrive unbeaten at 5-0, and with both already looking like serious College Football Playoff factors, this matchup carries the feel of more than just an early-season showcase. Alabama has put together a promising opening stretch and now gets a home chance to back up the idea that it belongs in the national title conversation.
The game should come down to the details that usually decide heavyweight meetings, especially quarterback play and turnover margin. Georgia brings the sort of challenge that has a way of exposing any soft spots, while Alabama is looking for proof that its early momentum can hold up against an opponent built to test every phase. If the Tide can manage the pressure and avoid giving away possessions, it would go a long way toward turning a strong start into something even more convincing. [Read more 🡒]
Pat McAfee Put Alabama Fans Through A Brutal GameDay Moment
Week 6 of College GameDay delivered one of those scenes Alabama fans will remember for a while, as Sam and Mason took part in Pat McAfees field goal contest on the set. Mason had a real chance to turn the moment into a massive payday, only to miss twice at winning more than $500,000, leaving the crowd with that mix of agony and disbelief that only live TV can produce.
McAfee still turned the segment into something meaningful for the Alabama area, pledging to donate $500,000 to hurricane relief efforts. It was a rough ending for the fans who lined up for the kick, but the Crimson Tide now move on to a far bigger stage, with Georgia coming to town for an upcoming SEC showdown that will command plenty of attention of its own. [Read more 🡒]