Through all the adversity and with all the odds stacked against them following a disheartening season-opening loss to Florida State, Alabama won 10 of its final 11 games to qualify for the SEC Championship Game. Awaiting them, of course, will be Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs.
This is the third straight trip to Atlanta for Alabama where Georgia was standing in its way of the conference crown. The two previous times - 2021 and 2023 - the Crimson Tide got the better of the Bulldogs, as they often have over the last two decades.
The obituary was written about this Alabama team - and perhaps the Kalen DeBoer era as a whole - before the calendar even flipped to September. For some, pressure can bust pipes. But pressure can also turn coal into diamonds. And through the pressure and nationwide doubt, this Tide team flourished.
Alabama beat Georgia in September to signal the turnaround was real. It added wins over Vanderbilt, Missouri, and Tennessee, all in a row, becoming the first team in SEC history to beat four straight ranked teams without a bye week.
Alabama's only loss down the stretch was by two points to an Oklahoma team that has clinched a spot in the College Football Game. And Alabama's post-game win expectancy from that game was 95%.
This may not be as do-or-die as it felt prior to the week, with the College Football Playoff committee finally coming to their senses and jumping Alabama over Notre Dame. Barring a blowout loss, Alabama's place in the playoff feels secured. But winning the SEC Championship still matters. And a win over Georgia might just propel Alabama into the top four, where they will receive a coveted first-round bye.
Betting Odds for Alabama vs. Georgia in the SEC Championship
Odds courtesy of FanDuel as of 6am ET on Saturday.
Spread: Alabama +2.5
Over/Under: 48.5
Moneyline: Alabama +110/Georgia -130
SEC Championship Game predictions from the Bama Hammer Team
Opinions are split on this one from our team. While Alabama has typically had the upper hand in matchups with Georgia (the Tide has won 10 of the last 11 meetings), the games are typically close.
In the regular season meeting this year in Athens, Alabama defeated Georgia 24-21. The Crimson Tide got off to a quick start, breaking out to a 14-0 lead and holding a 24-14 lead at halftime. Georgia's halftime defensive adjustments shut down Alabama's offense, but the Tide defense rose up to preserve the three-point win.
Both teams come in banged-up, though it feels like Alabama's got more bumps and bruises. The majority like the Tide, but it's a toss-up:
John Mitchell: Alabama 20, Georgia 17
Josh Yourish: Georgia 23, Alabama 21
Ron Evans: Alabama 24, Georgia 23
Greg Bosworth: Alabama 27, Georgia 24
Dominic Giacobazzi: Georgia 28, Alabama 20