Who won the georgia game last night

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Get used to this — Georgia won’t have to wait 41 years for another title

Nobody asked the question, the most unfair question a coach or player can be asked the morning after winning a championship, when the euphoria is still at peak levels and nobody has slept much and all anybody really wants is to travel back home to see family and friends and maybe visit their two-stoplight hometown to exhale and reflect.

“Can you repeat?”

Nobody asked. Not this day. Not this time. And really, it shouldn’t matter. The most important question related to Georgia’s football program under Kirby Smart has been answered. The need for 6 a.m. workouts and endless runs up the Sanford Stadium steps was affirmed on a single night. The Bulldogs will be at the top for a while. After a 41-year thirst, drink it up.

Jeff Schultz·

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Schultz: Get used to this — Georgia won't have to wait 41 years for another title

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Credit Kirby Smart for bringing back the glory

Kirby Smart stood on the sideline with 1:09 left, leaning on his knees, as if there were tightly wound springs in his limbs waiting to pop. He watched the play unfold — the desperation pass, the coverage by his players, the interception right in front of him. And then all the springs popped.

He leaped into the air. His arms flailed. As Keele Ringo picked off the pass and began his run to glory in the other direction, taking the ball and the past four decades of the program with him, Smart gave chase, as he tried to catch up with Ringo, screaming at him.

“The sad thing is I was screaming to get down,” Smart said.

Jeff Schultz·

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Schultz: Credit Kirby Smart for bringing back the glory with Georgia's long-awaited championship

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Stetson Bennett’s moment of redemption gives Georgia an ending almost too good to be true

The tears came for Stetson Bennett, and they came without warning.

He hadn’t cried in years, admittedly, so it was probably going to take him by surprise anyway. But as soon as he saw Alabama quarterback Bryce Young’s pass land in defensive back Kelee Ringo’s hands with roughly a minute to play, Bennett began tearing up. He didn’t even watch Ringo run it all the way back.

It turns out that Stetson Bennett IV is a national championship-caliber quarterback after all. He’s also an ugly crier, which somehow made Georgia’s storybook ending even better.

And he kept crying and crying, hugging whoever’s shoulder was free on the Georgia sideline as the final 54 seconds of game time ticked away. After it was all over and the Bulldogs had won a title for the first time in 41 years, Bennett walked around seemingly in a daze, a big goofy grin on his face.

Nicole Auerbach·

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Auerbach: Stetson Bennett’s moment of redemption gives Georgia an ending almost too good to be true

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Alabama had moments of greatness but was not great enough

Alabama’s had many moments like the one Georgia celebrated. Sometimes the other team is better and you tip your hat to them. Don’t cheapen it by the what-ifs.

Yes, the presence of wide receiver Jameson Williams would have been a boost to an offense that found the end zone only once, but he wasn’t available after what appeared to be a serious knee injury in the second quarter. His absence crippled an offense that couldn’t take advantage of plays down the field and had to work underneath, playing into the team speed of Georgia’s defense.

Georgia exorcized a lot of demons, 41 years’ worth, in pulling away from top-ranked Alabama 33-18 on Monday night in the College Football Playoff national championship game. It’s the Bulldogs’ first national title since 1980.

Aaron Suttles·

GO FURTHER

Alabama had moments of greatness but was not great enough: An unlikely path, a difficult loss and hope for what's next

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At long last, Georgia football finishes the drill

The confetti hung in the air, small red and black papers that, rather than fall to the ground, just floated around, a physical result of air currents in an indoor stadium, a symbolic allowance of the moment lingering. A moment that so many Georgia fans in the stadium had waited so long to see, through so much heartache, and kept coming back. And now it was here.

The players knew it, too. On the sideline, they were still processing it as the game went final.

“Wow, we’re national champions,” senior offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer said. “That’s what guys kept saying: Wow, we just won a national championship for the first time in 40-some years.”

And now they were legends. That was what they talked about over the last month, being legendary. And they came through, doing it with just enough drama, coming from behind twice, including in the fourth quarter. But also with enough room, a final score of 33-18, to soak it all in with no final-minute drama.

Seth Emerson·

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‘We’re national champions’: At long last, Georgia football finishes the drill

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Alabama's 33-18 loss was its second-largest of Nick Saban era

Alabama's 15-point loss Monday was surpassed only by its loss to Clemson in the 2019 CFP national championship game (2018 season.

Alabama’s largest losses under Nick Saban

2018 Clemson -28

2021 Georgia -15

2013 Oklahoma -14

2010 South Carolina -14

2008 Utah -14

Matt Brown·

Senior Editor, College Football

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Alabama, Georgia open as co-favorites for 2022 national title; Bryce Young tipped to repeat as Heisman winner

Georgia beat Alabama 33-18 Monday night in the College Football Playoff national championship game, and the teams could be in for a rematch next year.

The Bulldogs and Crimson Tide opened as co-favorites to win the 2023 title game at 2-1 just minutes after the season finale ended, per BetMGM. The 2023 national championship is scheduled to be played at SoFi Stadium.

Ohio State follows the pair at 6-1, while Clemson is close behind at 8-1. Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and USC follow and are all listed at 35-1.

Alabama opened as 3-1 favorites to win next season's title, while Georgia was 8-1. Heading into Monday night, Georgia was favored at 2-3.

Read more here.

The Athletic College Football Staff

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The Athletic 130: Final rankings of every college football team, from No. 1 Georgia to No. 130 UConn

The 2021 college football season is finished. A year ago, these rankings started with 76 teams and finished with 127 teams as the pandemic warped the season. This season, we started and ended with 130. We made it to the finish line with very little interruption. For that, we’re thankful.

With Georgia’s win over Alabama in the national championship game, it’s time for the final ranking of every team this season.

In recent years, bowl games have become difficult to weigh for the final ranking. The results matter. Wins matter. But opt-outs, transfers and COVID-19 cancellations must be factored in.

Here’s the final edition of The Athletic 130.

Chris Vannini·

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Georgia rallies late, defeats Alabama to win first national title since 1980

Georgia scored three touchdowns in a little more than seven minutes in the fourth quarter to beat Alabama 33-18 and win its first national championship in four decades Monday night. The Bulldogs' last title came following a 17-10 victory over Notre Dame in 1980.

After quarterback Stetson Bennett tossed touchdowns on back-to-back drives, Georgia's Kelee Ringo sealed the victory by picking off Alabama's Bryce Young and returning it 79 yards for a touchdown.

Young, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner, finished the game with 369 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions on 35-of-57 passing. Bennett was 17-of-26 on the day with two touchdowns and 224 passing yards.

Read more here.

The Athletic College Football Staff

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12 years in the making

An SEC East team has beaten Alabama for the first time since South Carolina in 2010, snapping a 34-game streak.

Matt Brown·

Senior Editor, College Football

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No surprise here

The trophy hasn't been presented yet, but the odds for next year's national champion are live on BetMGM. The co-favorites? Alabama and Georgia, both 2-to-1.

Dan Santaromita·

Associate Editor, Sports Betting

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Revenge, again

Matt Brown·

Senior Editor, College Football

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Georgia tops Alabama in national title game 33-18

Former walk-on QB Stetson Bennett threw for two touchdowns and 224 yards, while the defense hailed two interceptions and three sacks. This makes Kirby Smart the first ex-Alabama assistant to beat Nick Saban.

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Five-year-old Kirby would be proud

Georgia wins its first national championship since 1980 when the Herschel Walker-led Bulldogs went 12-0.

Kirby Smart was five years old when Georgia beat Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl to cap that undefeated season.

Jason Starrett·

Deputy Managing Editor, College Football

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Young's freshman year ends with first-ever two-interception game

The Heisman winner threw for over 350 yards but went 34-56 and only scored one touchdown. He was sacked twice.

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Walk-on QB's find success against Saban

Stetson Bennett etches his name in the records books with tonight's victory over Saban and the Tide.

Jason Starrett·

Deputy Managing Editor, College Football

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Kelee Ringo's historic pick-six puts Dawgs up 33-18

Ringo intercepts Bryce Young's pass and returns it 79 yards for a touchdown, bringing the score to 33-18. The previous longest pick-six in a CFP national title game was a 44-yard return by Clemson's A.J. Terrell on Jan. 7, 2019 — also against Bama.

The Athletic College Football Staff

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Bulldogs extend lead to 26-18 with Bowers TD

Freshman Brock Bowers hailed in a pass from the 16-yard line to bring the score to 26-18. Bowers holds the program record for receiving touchdowns in a season with 13 (plus one rushing).

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Veteran leader goes down for Bama

DL Phidarian Mathis walked off the field holding his right shoulder. One of the Tide's permanent team captains for 2021, Mathis is yet another big loss to injury for Saban's squad tonight.

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Dawgs get it back in under a minute

The Georgia defense went to work after its last score, forcing Alabama to punt in under a minute, the shortest drive yet tonight. The drive was three plays, and the Tide produced negative two yards.

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Freshman comes up clutch

Georgia's Adonai Mitchell gives the Bulldogs the lead on a 40-yard TD grab from Stetson Bennett.

Mitchell had two touchdowns in Georgia's first 13 games this season and now has a pair of scores in the College Football Playoff (one in Orange Bowl, one tonight).

Jason Starrett·

Deputy Managing Editor, College Football

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Tweet-and-delete

Poor timing for Dick's Sporting Goods

The Athletic College Football Staff

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Does history repeat itself?

There’s a lot of time left, but …

Matt Brown·

Senior Editor, College Football

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Bennett throws 40-yard dime, gives UGA one-point lead

The Georgia QB turns it around after being sacked for the second time by Dallas Turner and launches a 40-yard touchdown pass to freshman Adonai Mitchell. Georgia leads 19-18 after failing to convert.

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Young and Latu connect for first Bama TD

Cameron Latu caught a short pass from the Heisman winner in the end zone to give the Tide a 18-13 lead. Young was unable to cash in on the two-point conversion.

The Athletic College Football Staff

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Officiating debate ends with original call

After minutes of back and forth, referees confirm Georgia QB Stetson Bennett fumbled the ball and Alabama recovered. A few plays later, the Bulldogs get another penalty after Devonte Wyatt is called for roughing the passer.

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Tide yet to capitalize

It's a story of missed opportunities for Alabama. Moving the ball well against a stout UGA defense, but can't punch it in the end zone.

Aaron Suttles·

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Alabama trims deficit, Dawgs lead 13-12

A string of incomplete passes from Bryce Young forces Bama to kick a field goal from 21 yards out. The Crimson Tide trail 13-12 with under 13 minutes left in the fourth quarter.

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The Tide have been here before

Alabama has overcome a fourth-quarter deficit to win a national championship game twice previously under Nick Saban:

2016 CFP championship game: Trailed Clemson 24-21 in fourth quarter, won 45-40

2018 CFP championship game: Trailed Georgia 20-10 in fourth quarter, won 26-23 in OT

These two games are also the only two CFP national title games the Tide played in and didn't score the first touchdown.

The Athletic College Football Staff

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Longest run in CFP national championship history

James Cook's 67-yard rush was the longest rush in the eight-year history of the CFP national championship game.

Jason Starrett·

Deputy Managing Editor, College Football

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Bama field goal attempt blocked for the first time since 2012

The Bulldogs block a field goal attempt for the third time this season. The last time an opponent blocked any Alabama FG attempt was Georgia's Cornelius Washington on Dec. 1, 2012.

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Dawgs' disruptive defense

From a soul-crushing catch that instead was not, to Georgia blocking the field goal .... Fate, and the Georgia defense, keeps handing this game back to the offense, saying: "Please help."

Seth Emerson·

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Bryce Young throws first pick (and turnover) of the game

Chris Smith intercepts Bryce Young's pass at the Alabama 43-yard line. Young has thrown for 206 yards but has yet to score a touchdown tonight.

The Athletic College Football Staff

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A need for speed

The speed on the field tonight is off the charts, even if no one’s crossed the goal line yet. This is a real chess match. Georgia solved the “can’t pressure Bryce Young” problem from the first meeting but it’s going to take a touchdown or two to finish this.

David Ubben·

Staff Writer, College Football

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Former star kicker Rodrigo Blankenship makes sideline appearance

The ex-Bulldog made all 200 PATs he attempted in his career at Georgia and leads the program in career FG percentage (82.47), as well as career points scored (440).

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Halftime odds update

Alabama was the underdog before the game, but they're now favored at BetMGM. The Crimson Tide are a 2.5-point favorite at halftime. The live over/under total is at 39.5, which means the sportsbook is expecting a relative offensive explosion in the second half (or some overtime scoring).

Dan Santaromita·

Associate Editor, Sports Betting

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First touchdown-less first half in national championship history

This is the only CFP national championship game to have no touchdowns scored in the first half.

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Tide continue defensive legacy

Bama has held Georgia to just two field goals tonight as they lead 9-6. Since the start of the 2009 season, no team has allowed fewer touchdowns. The Tide have given up only 305 touchdowns in its last 180 games, which is 56 fewer than the program trailing them (Wisconsin).

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Alabama leads 9-6 at half

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No offensive touchdowns for Alabama...again?

When Georgia and Alabama met in the 2018 championship game, the Bulldogs held the Tide to no offensive touchdowns in the first half. Bama scored its first points in the third quarter of that game and still went on to win 26-23.

Alabama leads 9-6 at halftime tonight. The last time Alabama was held to no offensive touchdowns for an entire game was on Nov. 5, 2011 in a 9-6 loss to LSU.

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Jack Podlesny makes longest field goal attempt of the season

Dawgs' kicker knocks down a 49-yard field goal, his longest of the season. He is 20-for-25 on FGs and 68-for-69 on PATs this season. Georgia trails 9-6.

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Georgia defense holds Bama to third field goal of the night

Channing Tindall sacked Bryce Young at the 19-yard line to force a field goal. Alabama leads 9-3 halfway through the second quarter.

Tindall's third-down sack was Georgia's first sack in 69 Bryce Young dropbacks this season (0-46 in SEC championship, 1-23 as of that sack tonight).

The Athletic College Football Staff

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Bama finding success against Dawgs throwing deep

Georgia has now allowed three completions of 60-plus yards this season and Alabama has two of them:

Cameron Latu tonight (61-yd rec) and Jameson Williams in the SEC championship game (67-yard rec TD).

Jason Starrett·

Deputy Managing Editor, College Football

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Penalties limiting both teams

Georgia entered today 15th nationally averaging 4.8 penalties per game. Six already early in the second quarter tonight.

The Dawgs have lost 44 yards (34 on offense) due to penalties. Alabama has lost 10 yards on two penalties.

The Athletic College Football Staff

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Tide retake the lead

Will Reichard nails a 45-yard FG attempt to put the Tide back up, 6-3, just under three minutes after Georgia got its first points on the board.

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Coaches not liking what they saw

There was was an audible gasp from the coaches filling this hotel bar at the coaches convention in San Antonio when they showed the replay of the injury.

Chris Vannini·

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Bama possibly without two biggest offensive weapons

That’s A LOT of production missing if Williams joins John Metchie as out for this one.

Matt Fortuna·

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Brian Hartline shows support for Williams

Ohio State receivers coach Brian Hartline after that injury to Jameson Williams. Williams transferred to Alabama from Ohio State after last season.

The Athletic College Football Staff

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Jameson Williams goes down

Alabama's main wide receiver Jameson Williams is down holding his knee after making a cut following a 40-yard catch. This will be a huge loss for the Tide if he's out, especially with John Metchie III already injured.

Williams entered the night leading the SEC in receiving yards per game (107.6), receiving touchdowns (15) and yards per catch (20.1).

The Athletic College Football Staff

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First quarter ends, 3-0 Alabama

Just three points have been scored in the first quarter of the national title game, compared to an average of slightly over 17 in the first quarters of the past six CFP title games, per Fox College Football.

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Unfamiliar territory for Dawgs

This is the first time Georgia has trailed Alabama after the first quarter in the last four matchups. Twice Georgia led (2018 SEC championship and last month) the other two times it was tied.

Seth Emerson·

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Bennett Bomb to Pickens

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Bulldogs' offense crawling along

The Dawgs have one yard of total offense. Alabama has accounted for 76.

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Georgia QB off to a rough start

Stetson Bennett opened up the Orange Bowl completing nine straight passes, throwing for 92 yards and a touchdown. In his opening drive tonight, Bennett went 0-1 with one fumble and a sack.

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Bama defense putting pressure on Bennett

Stetson Bennett was only sacked nine times this season before Alabama linebacker Christian Harris got ahold of him on the first play of the game for Georgia's offense. Three of those nine sacks came in the Bulldogs' last meeting with the Crimson Tide.

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Good sign for the Tide early on

Alabama getting three points on its first drive is a good sign. Both teams throwing new schemes at each other and Alabama driving down to get some points. A couple of targets to Jahleel Billingsley so far. Something to file away for late.

Aaron Suttles·

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Dawgs stay strong in red zone

Alabama marches to the Georgia 19-yard line but the Bulldogs get the red zone stop.

Entering the night, Georgia opponents had scored just eight touchdowns in 28 red-zone trips this season (29%), the best rate in the FBS.

Jason Starrett·

Deputy Managing Editor, College Football

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After a rocky start, Bama goes up 3-0

Georgia clearly changing its strategy to try to bring more pressure on Bryce Young this time, more five-man rushes on the first drive, and more pressure — including Jordan Davis getting to Young on what was initially ruled a fumble return touchdown, then (correctly) overturned. Young still got the ball out against the pressure, before a third-down incompletion in the red zone. Georgia will take bend but don’t break in this game: Alabama had four first downs on the drive but had to settle for a field goal.

Seth Emerson·

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Georgia defense nearly does it all

Less than two minutes into the title game, Butkus Award winner Nakobe Dean recovered a ball from Bryce Young and made a 45-yard return to the end zone. After review, it is ruled an incomplete pass and the touchdown was overturned.

The Athletic College Football Staff

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Smart looking for a first in college football since '98

Kirby Smart was a four-year letterman for Georgia as a DB from 1995-98.

With a win Monday, Smart would be the first coach to win a national title at his alma mater since Tennessee’s Phillip Fulmer in 1998.

Jason Starrett·

Deputy Managing Editor, College Football

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Mentor or tormentor?

Alabama head coach Nick Saban is 25-1 all-time against his former assistants, beating every one of his ex-staffers until Oct. 9, 2021 — when Jimbo Fisher led an unranked Texas A&M team to a 41-38 win over the Tide. Saban’s most wins against a former assistant is four against both Smart and Fisher.

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Nick Saban, the winning machine

In 26 seasons as a college head coach, Nick Saban has never had a losing season. In fact, Saban has more national championships (7) than seasons with more than four losses (6, none since 2007).

Jason Starrett·

Deputy Managing Editor, College Football

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Brock Bowers seeking history

Georgia tight end Brock Bowers and the Bulldogs look to make history tonight.

Jason Starrett·

Deputy Managing Editor, College Football

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Of course, Quavo takes the Dawgs

Quavo, one-third of the Grammy-nominated rap group Migos and lifelong Georgia fan, was spotted on the sideline. He played starting quarterback at Berkmar High School in Lilburn, Georgia, before skyrocketing to musical stardom.

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D'Andre Swift supporting his Dawgs

Former Georgia running back D'Andre Swift, who now plays for the Detroit Lions, is in the house for tonight's game. Swift had four carries for 15 yards in the 2018 championship game, which was also against Alabama.

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Cornerback confusion continues

The Athletic College Football Staff

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National writer Max Olson’s pick: Georgia 23, Alabama 17

I refuse to believe that one of the finest defenses we’ve seen in a long time will fail. I know we’ve already seen Georgia surrender 34 points to this Alabama offense. I don’t think we’ll see it again. If Georgia’s offense can’t get much going and repeatedly puts the defense in tough spots, I can see this game going the other way. But I’m going with the Bulldogs, the best team we’ve seen from start to finish. The speed and intensity of that absurdly loaded defense will get to Bryce Young and control the game.

Read more from Max here.

Max Olson·

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Saban in a class of his own

Nick Saban enters tonight with 19 all-time wins against teams ranked in the top three of the AP poll. Among coaches, only Lou Holtz (12) and Bobby Bowden (10) have also reached double digits.

Matt Brown·

Senior Editor, College Football

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Expect the...expected in Indy

The usual Dawgs and Tide are under center in Indianapolis ahead of the title game.

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Betting insight ahead of kickoff

Georgia is still a 2.5-point favorite, right where the line opened. The Bulldogs were a 6.5-point favorite for the SEC title game between these teams. At BetMGM, most of the bets (57%) are on Alabama +2.5, but most of the money (55%) is on Georgia -2.5. The total is at 52.5 and most of the bets (68%) and money (79%) are on the over. These teams combined to score 71 just over a month ago.

Additionally, Alabama is on track to be an underdog for the fourth time since the start of the 2009 season. The Tide won each of the previous three games including two such matchups against Georgia.

The Athletic College Football Staff

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Can Young keep the legacy going?

Earlier this season, Alabama's Bryce Young became the first Alabama quarterback (and fourth Crimson Tide player overall) to win the Heisman Trophy. Each of the previous three Alabama Heisman winners also won the national title that season:

WR DeVonta Smith in 2020

RB Derrick Henry in 2015

RB Mark Ingram in 2009

Jason Starrett·

Deputy Managing Editor, College Football

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QB1 is in the building

Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young has arrived at Lucas Oil Stadium.

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Will the Dawgs set a program record tonight?

With a win tonight, Georgia will set a new program record for wins in a season (14). This year’s Bulldogs are the third Georgia team to win 13 games (also 2002 and 2017).

Jason Starrett·

Deputy Managing Editor, College Football

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The optimistic Georgia faithful

Georgia fans, burned by Alabama on the College Football Playoff’s biggest stage before, still swarmed Indianapolis to attend tonight’s matchup.

Surrounded by the UGA faithful, The Athletic’s Seth Emerson outlined the Bulldogs’ protagonists for this dramatic rematch.

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National writer Matt Fortuna’s pick: Alabama 28, Georgia 24

I know the history of top-five rematches. I know Georgia has the revenge angle. I know Vegas loves the Dawgs. And I know this feels like that state’s year after the Atlanta Braves closed the deal in October. But c’mon, am I really going to bet against Nick Saban twice, especially after making that mistake the first time these teams played? I’ll take the Tide, if for no other reason than I’ll be kicking myself if I take Bama to lose just one month after it beat this team by 17.

Read more from Matt here.

Matt Fortuna·

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It's time to expand the CFP

We saw first-round blowouts, now we're preparing for yet another all-SEC national title game.

The Athletic's Stewart Mandel explains why college football is long overdue for a playoff expansion.

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National columnist Stewart Mandel’s pick: Georgia 28, Alabama 24

I know it’s not wise to pick against Nick Saban, but I really feel like this is Georgia’s year. That defense that has been so dominant in every game but one will come to play Monday night, and quarterback Stetson Bennett will pick up where he left off in the Orange Bowl.

Read more from Stewart here.

Stewart Mandel·

Senior Columnist & EIC, College Football

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Stage is set for tonight

A quick at Lucas Oil Stadium prior to kickoff between Georgia-Bama.

Seth Emerson·

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National writer Andy Staples’ pick: Alabama 27, Georgia 24

I’m conflicted. In the preseason, I predicted Georgia and Alabama would make the College Football Playoff after Alabama beat a 12-0 Georgia in the SEC title game. I then predicted Georgia would win the national title. So if Georgia wins, I might have totally nailed this thing back in August. Here’s the problem: After the SEC title game, I swore I’d never pick against Saban again.

Read more from Andy here.

Andy Staples·

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How will a top-three matchup play out?

Similarly, the all-time average margin for AP top-three matchups since 1936 is 12.7. 51 of 114 all-time top-three matchups (44.7 percent) have been decided by single digits.

In the past 25 years, the average margin of AP top-three matchups has been 15.4, with 17 of those 48 games decided by single digits (35.4 percent).

Matt Brown·

Senior Editor, College Football

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Should we expect a close game tonight?

Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but it seems like most people predict a close game when making their national championship game picks.

Since official national title games debuted with the BCS in 1998, the average title game margin of victory has been 14.7 points. It’s been even higher in the Playoff era (15.3) including wins of 17-plus points in each of the last three seasons.

Jason Starrett·

Deputy Managing Editor, College Football

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Breaking down Alabama vs. Georgia and why Stetson Bennett is key

Move over, Michigan and see you later, Cincinnati. We only spent 15 weeks continually reminding you that Georgia and Alabama have been college football’s two best teams this season. And wouldn’t you know it, the Bulldogs and Crimson Tide meet for the national championship on Jan. 10.

Take a closer look at the matchup below and hear from The Athletic’s Austin Mock and Zach Pekale, who each gave their picks and break down why both teams have a good chance in the title game.

The Athletic College Football Staff