Alabama Football: 30 Greatest Games in Crimson Tide History
By Ronald Evans
Alabama Football Greatest Game
December 1, 2018 – SEC Championship vs. Georgia
The Crimson Tide was ranked No. 1 and the Georgia Bulldogs were No. 4. After the backlash over the SEC getting two teams in the 2017 CFB Playoff, two SEC teams were not going to get in again in 2018. Only the winner would advance.
The game was also important because, in Kirby Smart’s third head coaching season, it was time for a Bulldogs team to deliver.
The game was tight with both sides delivering throughout. One player stood out and he was the difference. Having lost the starting quarterback job to Tua Tagovailoa, Jalen Hurts was called upon in the fourth quarter of the SEC Championship, with the Tide trailing by a touchdown.
Hurts led the Tide on an 80-yard, game-tying touchdown drive, connecting with Jerry Jeudy on a 10-yard pass. Minutes later, a panicked Kirby Smart called a fake-punt, run for Justin Fields. The Crimson Tide defense was not fooled and the stage was set for the Tide’s winning drive.
The Crimson Tide started at its own 49-yard line. After pass completions to Irv Smith Jr. and Jaylen Waddle, the Tide had a first down at the Georgia 15. With just over one minute left, Hurts ran for the final 15 yards and the winning score.
After the game, Nick Saban said,
"I’ve probably never been more proud of a player than Jalen"
Neither had Alabama Crimson Tide fans.