NCAAF National Championship Preview

After a thrilling college football season featuring upsets galore and incredible storylines, the season ends tonight. The teams competing for the title both hail from the Southeastern Conference, as the Alabama Crimson Tide look to defend their title against the Georgia Bulldogs.

Overview

Nick Saban and Alabama have been dominating college football since Saban stepped on campus in Tuscaloosa, but this year has been different. Roster turnover isn't new to Alabama, but losing your starting QB, starting RB, three starting offensive linemen, and two starting WRs (including Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith) is tough to overcome. Alabama continued to win, but not in the impressive manner that we're used to seeing. Alas, the Crimson Tide's 19 game winning streak, and Nick Saban's undefeated record against his former assistants, came to an end in College Station, as Texas A&M captured a 41-38 victory. The Tide seemed to have lost their roll and the college football world sensed a changing of the guard at the top of the college football food chain. The new top team in the country? That would be the Georgia Bulldogs. Kirby Smart's team won a slugfest against then #3 Clemson, then coasted to an undefeated regular season. Their success was built on their menacing defense, who held eight of their twelve opponents to under ten points. With Senior DT Jordan Davis leading the charge, the Bulldogs looked nearly unbeatable heading into the SEC Championship Game. Georgia was all but locked into the College Football Playoff, while Alabama needed to win to get in. After barely escaping Auburn with a rivalry week victory, the Crimson Tide were underdogs. After falling down 10-0, Alabama came storming back, picking apart Georgia's vaunted defense. When it was all said and done, the Tide rolled on by a score of 41-24. After both teams won their respective semi-final matchups (Alabama defeating Cincinnati and Georgia over Michigan), the stage is set for the ultimate rematch. Alabama has constantly brought heartbreak to the UGA faithful, as they haven't lost to Georgia since 2007. On the other hand, it is notoriously challenging to beat a team two times, especially a team as talented as Georgia. Now you know their respective paths to the National Championship, now it's on to the matchups on the field.

Key Stats

Alabama Sophomore QB Bryce Young had a phenomenal season, amassing 4,503 passing yards and 46 TDs during the regular season, culminating in a Heisman Trophy victory. In their first matchup against Georgia this season, Young was 26-44 for 421 yards and 3 TDs, a truly incredible performance. On the flip side, Georgia Senior QB Stetson Bennett has emerged as the starter for UGA, putting forth 2,638 passing yards and 27 TDs during the regular season. In the SEC Championship Game, Bennett was 29-48 for 340 yards and 3 TDs, but also two costly INTs. Back to Alabama, some key contributors throughout this season include RB Brian Robinson Jr. (1,275 yards + 14 TDs), WR Jameson Williams (75 catches for 1,507 yards + 15 TDs), and OLB Will Anderson Jr (97 tackles + 17.5 sacks). For Georgia, RB Zamir White (772 yards + 10 TDs), TE Brock Bowers (52 catches for 846 yards + 12 TDs), and LB Nakobe Dean (68 tackles + 6 sacks and 2 INTs) have been crucial this season for the Bulldogs. To close out stats, Alabama K Will Reichard is 18-23 on FGs with a long of 51 yards, while Georgia K Jack Podlesny is 20-25 on FGs with a long 46 yards.

Key Matchups

Alabama OL vs Georgia DL: Alabama surrendered 7 sacks in a near disaster against Auburn, but they proceeded to keep Bryce Young upright all game against Georgia. Against a ferocious Bulldogs front seven, the Alabama OL needs to replicate their SEC Championship success in order to win tonight.

QB Stetson Bennett vs Alabama D: Georgia didn't have to throw the ball too often during the regular season, but when Stetson Bennett was forced to throw the ball a ton against Alabama, he generally struggled. Bennett was terrific against Michigan (313 yards + 3 TDs), but can he do it again against an Alabama defense that has amassed 52 sacks and ranks top 10 in total defense? Time will tell, but Georgia's success likely rests on Stetson's shoulders.

X-Factors

Alabama: Freshman WR Ja'Corey Brooks only had 9 catches during the regular season, but without his heroic catch against Auburn, Alabama wouldn't be here. The Crimson Tide lost star WR John Metchie III to a torn ACL, meaning that another WR needs to step up. Based on high praise from Nick Saban, as well as posting 4 catches for 66 yards and 1 TD against Cincinnati, I see no reason why Brooks can't be WR2 for the Alabama offense.

Georgia: Junior WR George Pickens missed the majority of the 2021 season due to a torn ACL, but he's made a speedy recovery and has played in the last three games for UGA. The numbers haven't been impressive, but he's a game changing weapon when he's healthy and made a spectacular catch against Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. Stetson "The Mailman" Bennett needs to deliver and having some help from Pickens would be beneficial for the Bulldog offense.

Prediction

Alabama overpowered Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, but don't expect Kirby Smart's Bulldogs to show up to Indianapolis unprepared. I can't imagine Georgia surrenders 40 points again, but I also believe in the Heisman winner Bryce Young's immense talent. When it's all said and done, I have Alabama scoring a late TD to pull ahead 30-24, then sealing the victory via a Stetson Bennett interception. I wrote about Georgia's sports curse ending a few months ago, but Nick Saban doesn't buy that rat poison. Saban wins his 8th title (7th at Alabama) and the Crimson Tide once again ascend to the top of the college football world.

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading! Who do you think will win the National Championship, Alabama or Georgia? Let me know in the comments down below!

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