Georgia heads into Tuscaloosa Saturday night for one of the biggest games of the season, and despite Alabama having home-field advantage, there are plenty of reasons to believe the Bulldogs can leave Bryant-Denny Stadium with a win.
The biggest reason might simply be experience.
Georgia is built for a game like this. Gunner Stockton is a fifth-year senior who has already played in plenty of major SEC games, while Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell is still in his first season as the starter. Stockton is 17-3 as a starter and 6-2 against ranked opponents. When the pressure rises Saturday night, that experience could become a major advantage for Georgia.
But this game could ultimately be decided on the ground.
Georgia needs to walk into Tuscaloosa with one goal defensively: make Alabama one-dimensional. The Bulldogs are allowing just 57.4 rushing yards per game, which ranks third nationally, while opponents are averaging only 1.91 yards per carry. If Georgia shuts down Alabama’s rushing attack, suddenly Russell has to beat one of the country’s best defenses with his arm.
That is exactly where Kirby Smart wants this game.
Then Georgia needs to flip that formula offensively. The Bulldogs are averaging 213 rushing yards per game compared with Alabama’s 186.4, and Georgia has been more efficient offensively overall. Nate Frazier and this offensive line need to establish themselves early, stay physical and keep Alabama’s offense watching from the sideline.
Running the football also takes some of the pressure off Stockton. Georgia shouldn’t need him throwing 40-plus times to win this game. Let him manage the offense, make the throws when they’re available and use Georgia’s experience and physicality to control the night.
Alabama is talented enough to beat anybody, especially at Bryant-Denny. But Georgia doesn’t need to play Alabama’s game.
Stop the run. Run the football. Trust the veteran quarterback. Control the clock.
If Georgia does those four things, the Bulldogs have everything they need to walk into Tuscaloosa and beat Alabama.
