No. 3 Alabama vs No. 1 Georgia: 2021 SEC Championship Game preview, TV schedule
By Matt Melton
Keys to Win
Success on the Ground
It will be key for Alabama to establish the running game early in this contest against what-is an elite front seven. Not only will the Crimson Tide need a massive game from Trey Sanders, but will also need a big game running the ball from Bryce Young when forced out of the pocket.
Contain the Run
The Crimson Tide defense completely shut down the Auburn run game at times a week ago, and will need a similar performance against a Georgia team that uses multiple backs in many different ways. The run game is arguably the strength of the Bulldogs offense, and potentially slowing down the run could give the Georgia offense some troubles.
Offensive Line
The Alabama offensive line struggled against Auburn last Saturday as the Tigers amassed seven sacks, as well as struggling to get-going on the ground in the run game. Facing the top defense in the country, the Crimson Tide offensive line will have to play their best game of the season in both run and pass blocking.
Prediction
The Crimson Tide enter the 2021 SEC Championship Game knowing that they need a win to keep any Playoff hopes alive. The underdog entering the contest, it will not be an easy task to knock-off top ranked and undefeated Georgia, but is it possible? Yes.
To do this, Alabama will need to play undoubtedly their top game of the year (especially on offense), with arguably the Crimson Tide’s best chance of winning is forcing a high-scoring contest. The one clear advantage you could certainly argue that Alabama has over the Bulldogs is on the offensive side of the ball through the passing game, but the Crimson Tide will be going up against the nation’s top defense.
Next. Alabama vs Georgia: odds, prediction. dark
This game has the potential to go either way, but the Georgia defense will likely prove to be the difference. It would not surprise anyone if the Crimson Tide pick up a massive win here, but I’ll say Georgia wins a very-close, higher-scoring contest than most expect, one that is decided late in the fourth quarter.
Prediction: Alabama 28, Georgia 31