BULLDOGS FACE BIG, BAD ALABAMA IN TITLE GAME

Georgia tailback Sony Michel (1) celebrates his first quarter touchdown past Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray (9) during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl, Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)

Kirby Smart’s Bulldog team is one win away from delivering this starving Georgia fan base a national championship! However, it won’t come easy. The College Football bully stands in the way and Alabama is coming off a domination of Clemson, in the other national semi-final game.

The ‘Dogs need to rest up and recharge the batteries, before this big battle takes place. The epic 2-OT Rose Bowl victory over Oklahoma had to have been exhausting, both emotionally and physically.

This will be a tougher match-up for Georgia. Alabama is physical, although they have been thinned out by injury on defense. Let’s take a quick look at match-ups on both sides of the ball.

The Tide defense plays the run tough! Can Chubb, Michel & Swift find some cracks and space to run it effectively? This is obviously a huge factor in the showdown! Alabama is #2 in CF in run defense, only allowing 2.8 yards per carry. Georgia ended up #5 in CF in rushing, averaging 6.0 yards per carry & 267 yards per game. This is the rub. Sam Pittman’s UGA O-Line will face a D-Line that played its best game against Clemson. The Tide D-Line, featuring Hand, Payne & Davis were dominant. The good news is Bama’s linebacker group is thin. Coach Jim Chaney’s game-plan will no doubt try to attack this Bama LB group.

On the flip side, Georgia’s defense will be facing a Tide offense that wants to pound the opponent with a power run game and hit the big play off play-action down the field. The Bulldogs quality depth on the D-Line will be a factor, as it was in Pasadena. Tyler Clark, Jonathan Ledbetter and D’Andre Walker need to step up again, along with Trent Thompson, Julian Rochester, David Marshall & John Adkins.

Tide QB Jalen Hurts does a nice job of recognizing when to use his legs too. He can take off and run with it. Roquan Smith will be focused on that too. Hurts doesn’t turn the ball over either. He’s only committed 3 turnovers all season. Wouldn’t expect that to change now.

Mecole Hardman could be a big weapon in the return game. He’s been close to taking one to the house and this would be a great time to do it! In fact, the ‘Dogs need him to bust one.

Tune in to The Buck & Kincade Show this week, 12-3 on The Fan, as we break down this huge game!

Contests & Events

No events are currently scheduled.