More often than not, in big college football games featuring two top teams, the team with the best quarterback performance wins. The Alabama win over Mississippi State is an example, even if the Bulldogs were a bit overrated and Kamari Taylor was not 100%.
Saturday night in Tuscaloosa features two fairly rated teams, both with healthy quarterbacks. The odds are that Keelon Russell or Gunner Stockton will be a primary determinant of the game's outcome.
In most games, a quarterback making his sixth start will not outperform a quarterback who is a seasoned game winner. Georgia's Gunner Stockton was a game winner against Alabama in last December's SEC Championship Game. He didn't put up big numbers against the Crimson Tide, only 156 yards on 26 passing attempts. But he threw for three touchdowns, completed 76.9% of his passes, and ran for 39 yards. He was the SEC Championship Game MVP.
Gunner Stockton knows how to beat Alabama
In four of five games this season, Stockton has been an improved quarterback. Granted, in the one game he struggled, it was against a strong Oklahoma defense. Stockton has notched big wins in his Georgia career, twice against Texas. Last season, Stockton's stellar performance led the Bulldogs to an overtime win in Knoxville. More workmanlike than flashy, Gunner is a proven leader for a team that takes pride in not beating itself.
Saturday night's quarterback battle could be described as sizzle vs. substance. Keelon Russell has an abundance of sizzle, and Gunner Sockton has rock-solid substance. In most cases, substance surpasses sizzle. That might not be true Saturday night. Keelon Russell is flashy with purpose. And that purpose is winning.
Tuscaloosa and the fans inside Bryant-Denny could experience two storms on Saturday night. One is the residual effects of a hurricane. The other is a potential offensive explosion triggered by Keelon Russell. The Tide and the Dawgs can survive the real storm. Georgia may not survive Keelon Russell. If the winner must score 31 or more points, Keelon gives Alabama an advantage. If 24 points make a team the winner, the edge probably goes to the Bulldogs.
It should be an outstanding college football game.
Note: Player stats provided by Sports Reference
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