When it comes to rivalries in college football, few carry the weight-or the recent history-of Georgia vs. Alabama.
And while the Crimson Tide have owned the series in recent years, Georgia isn’t backing down. In fact, if you ask quarterback Gunner Stockton, history’s got nothing to do with what’s about to go down in Atlanta.
“Everyone knows the history of Georgia and Alabama and it’s there,” Stockton said. “But they can’t transfer a win or a loss to this game.”
That’s the kind of mindset you want from your signal-caller heading into the SEC Championship. Confident, focused, and not interested in ghosts of games past.
And let’s be clear: Alabama’s dominance over Georgia hasn’t just been a talking point-it’s been a reality. The Tide have taken nine of the last ten matchups, including a 7-1 mark against Kirby Smart since he took over in Athens.
That’s not just a trend, that’s a stranglehold. And considering how consistently elite Smart’s Georgia teams have been, that stat still turns heads.
But here’s where it gets interesting. The one win Georgia has managed under Smart?
It came when it mattered most. After falling to Alabama in the SEC Championship during their first national title season, Georgia flipped the script in the College Football Playoff and beat Bama when the stakes were highest: the National Championship game.
That’s not just redemption-that’s resilience.
So yes, Alabama’s track record is real. But this Georgia team, led by a quarterback who isn’t interested in narratives, isn’t carrying that baggage into Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Stockton is preparing for this Alabama team, this game, and this moment.
And that approach might be exactly what Georgia needs.
Because while the outside world will spend the week dissecting the Tide’s dominance, Georgia’s locker room is clearly focused on something else: the opportunity to change the story. Stockton’s message sets the tone.
He’s not playing against Nick Saban’s record book. He’s not lining up across from the ghosts of SEC Championships past.
He’s preparing to beat the team in front of him.
And if Georgia’s leader is locked in like that, you can bet the rest of the roster is following suit.
Saturday’s showdown isn’t just another chapter in a storied rivalry-it’s a chance for Georgia to write a new one. And they’re bringing the right mindset to the fight.