This is why people watch SEC football. Georgia and Alabama enter Bryant-Denny Stadium at 5-0 overall and 3-0 in conference play. Georgia is ranked No. 2, Alabama No. 6, and both programs are squarely in the national championship conversation. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
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Georgia has been frighteningly efficient.
The Bulldogs lead the nation in scoring at 51.4 points per game and have beaten their first three SEC opponents—Arkansas, Oklahoma and Vanderbilt—by an average of nearly 27 points. Quarterback Gunner Stockton is completing 75.5 percent of his passes with 13 touchdowns against only one interception.
Those aren’t merely good numbers. They’re numbers that make it difficult for opponents to wait for Georgia to beat itself.
Alabama may be uniquely equipped to challenge the Bulldogs.
Keelon Russell continues developing into one of the country’s most dangerous young quarterbacks. Against Mississippi State, he completed 16 of 22 passes for 285 yards and three touchdowns without an interception as Alabama rolled 56-23.
Russell’s ability to extend plays may be particularly important against Georgia. Kirby Smart’s defense will disguise coverages and try to force the sophomore quarterback into mistakes after the snap. Russell cannot become impatient.
Georgia faces a similar challenge with Stockton. Alabama wants to disrupt the rhythm of a quarterback who has spent much of the season playing with comfortable leads. What happens if Georgia trails 24-17 in the fourth quarter in front of more than 100,000 people in Tuscaloosa?
We haven’t seen that version of the Bulldogs yet.
The running games could decide everything. Georgia doesn’t want Stockton throwing 45 times, and Alabama doesn’t want Russell doing it either. Whichever offensive line establishes control will give its quarterback an enormous advantage.
Then there is the history.
Kirby Smart has accomplished nearly everything imaginable at Georgia, but winning in Tuscaloosa remains missing from his résumé. Georgia hasn’t beaten Alabama on the road since 2007.
I expect this to be the best SEC game of the weekend.
Georgia is probably the more complete team through five games, and Stockton has been remarkably efficient. But Alabama has the home field, an explosive quarterback and enough defensive talent to make Georgia play a type of game it hasn’t encountered this season.
This feels like one of those Alabama-Georgia games decided by a handful of snaps: a third-and-long conversion, a red-zone stop, perhaps one late turnover.
I’m giving Alabama the slightest edge at home.
Prediction: Alabama 31, Georgia 28
Note: 16Powers.com is 19-8 so far this season picking winners. That said, these predictions are intended for entertainment purposes only.Â
