A clash of SEC titans is set for Saturday night, as Alabama hosts Georgia in Week 5 for the 2024 college football season. The stakes are seemingly always high when these two teams meet, and this matchup should have implications on the SEC Championship, CFB Playoff, and the race to win the Heisman Trophy.
The recent trend in this series has favored Alabama. The Crimson Tide have won eight out of the last nine against the Bulldogs, including a 27-24 victory in last year's SEC Championship that knocked Georgia from the CFB Playoff. Bulldogs' coach Kirby Smart is just 1-5 against Alabama since taking over in Athens in '16
While the recent trends and series history are notable, the '24 matchup features a significant change: Nick Saban's retirement and Kalen DeBoer's hire into the top spot in Tuscaloosa. Will Saban's retirement shift this rivalry into Georgia's favor? Or can DeBoer score a massive victory on Saturday night in his first SEC contest?
Georgia at Alabama game time and channel
Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Kickoff: Saturday, Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Spread: Georgia -1
Over/Under: 50.5
Announcers: Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, and Holly Rowe
Which players or factors will determine the winner of Saturday night's showdown in Tuscaloosa? Here are five to watch:
Alabama vs. Georgia: Five Factors That Will Determine Winner of SEC Showdown
1. Jalen Milroe
Milroe gave Georgia's defense fits in last year's SEC Championship Game. The Texas native was efficient through the air, completing 13 of 23 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns and adding 29 yards on the ground. Milroe's mobility helped create timely plays off schedule or to escape the rush to utilize his legs to scramble.
Did Georgia learn anything from last year's matchup it can deploy on Saturday night? Milroe has thrived in DeBoer's system, completing 35 of 52 passes for 590 yards and eight touchdowns and rushing for 156 yards and six scores so far. DeBoer won't be afraid to use Milroe on designed runs as much as needed on Saturday night. In addition to maintaining his ability to create plays on the ground, Milroe looks more comfortable as a passer in his second year as the starter. He also continues to excel on deep throws (four completions of 40-plus yards).
Will Milroe's legs and deep passing ability win out on Saturday night? Or can Georgia's front control the line of scrimmage and keep the junior in the pocket to limit his ability to make plays on scrambles?
Related: College Football Week 5 Predictions
2. Georgia's Passing Attack Against Alabama's Secondary
Alabama's rebuilt secondary has been stingy so far, allowing only one passing touchdown over 107 attempts in '24. Also, this unit is limiting teams to just 115.7 yards a game and has yet to allow a completion of 30-plus yards.
However, Georgia quarterback Carson Beck and his receiving corps are a significantly better tandem than any of the three teams the Crimson Tide have faced in '24. Beck had an off night against Kentucky on Sept. 14 but threw for 278 yards and two touchdowns in the opener against Clemson.
Losing tight end Brock Bowers and receiver Ladd McConkey to the NFL took away two of Beck's top targets and questions remain about which player can be a consistent go-to weapon. However, Georgia doesn't lack for options for Beck, including receivers Dominic Lovett, Colbie Young, Arian Smith, and Dillon Bell, and tight ends Oscar Delp, Lawson Luckie, and Ben Yurosek.
Is this the game where the new faces in Alabama's secondary create issues for the defense? Or will the Crimson Tide secondary lock down the Georgia receivers and limit Beck's production?
3. Line of Scrimmage
As always in a massive SEC showdown, the line of scrimmage looms large in the outcome on Saturday night.
Georgia's offensive line won't have standout Tate Ratledge after an ankle injury suffered against Kentucky. However, this unit doesn't lack for talent or depth, giving Smart and coordinator Mike Bobo options. However, the Bulldogs struggled against Kentucky at the point of attack, as running back Trevor Etienne was limited to 4.2 yards a carry and just 79 yards on 18 attempts. Protecting Beck and allowing Etienne to find running lanes is a must if Georgia wants to win on Saturday night.
Alabama allowing only 3.5 yards per rush and has generated 18 tackles for a loss this season. In both the Clemson and Kentucky matchups, the Bulldogs' offense bogged down when it was unable to get its ground game on track. The Crimson Tide need to win here on early downs and get Beck into third-and-long.
Due to the absence of left tackle Kadyn Proctor due to injury, along with an uneven showing against South Florida in Week 2, Alabama's offensive line was an early storyline for DeBoer. However, Proctor's return against Wisconsin on Sept. 14 solidified this group and provides optimism going into the showdown versus Georgia.
Georgia's defensive front has struggled with injuries recently, including ailments to Mykel Williams, Jordan Hall, and Warren Brinson. According to the SEC availability reports, all three have a chance to return on Saturday night, which would be a huge boost to a group that was pushed around by Kentucky (170 yards).
Expect DeBoer and coordinator Nick Sheridan to test this group early with designed runs by Milroe and running backs Justice Haynes and Jam Miller. If the Bulldogs can win on early downs and get Milroe into obvious passing situations, that's a huge edge to Smart's defense.
Related: College Football Week 5 Score Predictions
4. Big Plays
With the defensive talent on the field and a tight game anticipated, consistently putting together long scoring drives against either team could be challenging.
Through three games, Alabama has generated seven plays of 40-plus yards, while Georgia is just a step behind with four. The Crimson Tide also have two plays of 70-plus yards this year.
Both teams have big-time playmakers capable of taking the ball for a touchdown every time they touch it. On the Alabama side, freshman receiver Ryan Williams (28.5 yards per catch) is a player to watch, with Germie Bernard and Kobe Prentice also capable of stretching Georgia's secondary. And of course, Milroe can take a short run and turn it into a score.
The Bulldogs need to get the ball to Etienne in space as much as possible, with Lovett, Bell, and Smith capable of generating big plays from Beck downfield.
Whichever team wins at generating explosive or big plays is likely to come out on top.
5. Turnover Battle
Which team can limit mistakes or do a better job of taking care of the ball? Georgia is plus-three in turnover margin, while Alabama sits at zero. However, the Crimson Tide have been more generous with giveaways (four), while the Bulldogs have yet to turn the ball over in '24.
With a close contest expected and not much separating these two teams on paper, a couple of mistakes on special teams or a turnover could decide the winner on Saturday night.
Predictions for Alabama vs. Georgia
Steven Lassan: Georgia
Dan Lyons: Alabama
Thomas Neumann: Georgia
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