On paper, Alabama Football not equal to Georgia Bulldogs

Based on comparing Alabama Football and Georgia through statistical review and box scores of certain games, the Crimson Tide will lose to Georgia. Games, however, are not played on paper. Georgia has earned the distinction of being the favorite. The Crimson Tide is legitimately the underdog.

None of the above will matter on Saturday in Atlanta. Two confident teams will battle for 60 (or more) minutes. Ultimately the players will determine the outcome.

Being the oddsmakers’ underdog might give Alabama Football a slight motivational advantage. Given the history between the two teams through the Saban era, the Bulldogs should have more than enough motivation.

Execution, rather than scheme will be the primary determinant for the winner. That does not mean scheme will not matter. Nick Saban is about as far from a gimmicky football coach as can be found. But doing the same things, only better, may not be enough to beat Georgia.

As always, fundamentals will come first. The Crimson Tide cannot beat itself with turnovers and penalties. A healthier Georgia team will get an added boost if Brian Robinson Jr. can’t play or will be hampered by his leg injury.

If we think of Mercedes Benz Stadium, as a room, there will be two unwanted presences in that room. One will be the ‘monkey’ on Georgia’s back from six straight losses to the Crimson Tide going back to 2008. The other ‘elephant in the room’ (not Big Al) will be the inescapable fact the Tide’s offensive line is well below championship quality. How far below? Bryce Young has been sacked 17 times in the last four games. As bad as that stat is, even worse has been the Tide’s inability to mount a solid rushing attack.

The Georgia football staff will try to convince the Bulldogs those stats are misleading. Even if the Georgia coaches are successful with their warnings, the stout Georgia defense has got to be excited to attack the Tide.

Alabama Football Offense – Balance or Quick Strike?

Nick Saban will always look for a productive, balanced offense. If the Tide can’t provide it early, it may have to try some new wrinkles. One good possibility is to choose ‘hurry-up’ in the first quarter. Ditch the time-consuming, Bryce Young, pre-snap reads and give the Dawgs defense little time to sub or adjust. Tennessee only scored 17 points on Georgia but ran 84 offensive plays. In a closer game, the Vols’ ‘hurry-up’ could have tired the Bulldogs.

The greatest offensive advantages for the Tide are Bryce Young’s poise and accuracy, coupled with two or more receivers that can prove too much for the Georgia secondary.

Going fast carries the risk of frequent ‘three-and-outs’ causing the Tide defense to be on the field too long. In that situation, it will be Crimson Tide defenders tiring first.

What should Alabama Football do against the Dawgs? Fortune favors the bold.