Alabama Football opponent previews: Georgia defense

Alabama football fans will be familiar with what they see from the Georgia defense on Saturday night in Tuscaloosa because it's the same defense that was ran in Tuscaloosa since Nick Saban came to town back in 2007.

Kirby Smart built the Bulldogs in Alabama's image, and Georgia has consistently had one of, if not the best, defense in college football over the last several years. Not much has changed in 2024 as Georgia enters their fourth game of the season not yet having surrendered a single touchdown.

Its ability to keep offenses out of the endzone is directly responsible for their win in Lexington two weeks ago when the offense struggled to consistently move the football. The Wildcats had scoring chances, but were ultimately held to four field goals and lost the game by a single point.

Everywhere you look, you'll see familiar names. Alabama and Georgia have largely recruited the same players since Smart took over in Athens eight years ago. Everyone on their defense held an Alabama offer in their hand at one point in time.

Georgia has been dealing with a few injuries defensively, but I would expect all of those guys to play on Saturday night. The biggest injury question mark is star defensive end Mykel Williams, who missed the last two games. Smart wouldn't go so far as to say Williams would definitely play, but he's optimistic. In a game this big, if a key player is 75% of what they can be, they'll play. Expect Williams to be on the field in Tuscaloosa.

Getting Williams back will be key because without him, Georgia really struggled to stop the run against the Wildcats. Kentucky racked up 170 yards on the ground and really controlled both lines of scrimmage, a huge shock to the system for those of us watching and used to seeing Georgia impose its will on everyone it faces not named Alabama.

Running the ball consistently will be key for the Crimson Tide. Georgia gives up a success rate of only 17% on obvious passing downs, but they're at 47% on standard downs. If Alabama can stay on schedule offensively, it opens up the entire offense on third downs and avoids those third-and-longs that are tough against any defense, not to mention one littered with future NFL players on the back end.

I would expect Georgia to play a lot of 2-high shells defensively to try and take away the shot plays that Jalen Milore loves to take. I expect Daylen Everette to get the Ryan Williams assignment, and for ball-hawking Malachi Starks to shade to that side as the safety valve. Starks is probably the best safety in the entire country. He has cornerback skills and is not a mismatch if he gets caught one-on-one with a wide receiver.

The intermediate passing game is a consistent talking point with Milroe. He's never proven to be really good at it, but I do expect Alabama to try and hit some of the short and intermediate throws to keep the chains moving and avoid too many three-and-outs that tires the Tide's young defensive backs.

Milroe hit just enough of those passes in last season's SEC Championship matchup, and then did a lot of damage late in the game with his legs to put Georgia away. His legs will once again be a factor, though Georgia will probably spy him most of the game. I wouldn't expect a double spy look like we saw last season, but someone will be tasked with watching the quarterback every down.

I do not think we've seen the full scope of Alabama's offense through three games. Kalen DeBoer knows how important this game is and I think there's been some things intentionally held back to surprise Smart and the Bulldogs with on Saturday night.

But at the end of the day, scheme only gets you so far. Can Alabama consistently run the football with the three-headed monster of Milroe, Jam Miller, and Justice Haynes? If Alabama can find a similar rushing success that Kentucky did, then the Crimson Tide is going to put some points on the scoreboard.

If they struggle up front with the big Georgia defensive linemen like Nazir Stackhouse, then a lot will be on Milroe's shoulders to play superman and make plays to win the game. Miroe is certainly capable of doing so, but DeBoer and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan want to give him as much help as they can.

Georgia ranks 27th in the country in rushing yards-per-carry allowed, which is a far cry from their dominant, championship level defenses of years past. Three games is too small of a sample for a legit conclusion, and Georgia can erase a lot of doubts with a strong performance in Tuscaloosa against one of the best offensive lines in the nation.

Getting backup defensive linemen Warren Brinson and Jordan Hall back will be a boost as well, allowing the Bulldogs to sub a bit more and stay fresh up front.

Patience will be key for the Tide's offense. Georgia doesn't give up a lot of big plays, but there are yards to be gained underneath. A defense has to give up something, and Georgia will be terrified of watching Ryan Williams or Germie Bernard running down the field. They'll try to keep everything in front, and Smart, like Saban, plays a lot of man-to-man coverages.

Winning individual matchups will be key, but DeBoer made his bones as an offensive guru who can find any weakness in a defense and exploit it. When you are facing man-to-man looks, it's all about identifying the matchup advantage that you have, and exploiting it again and again.

With Georgia having to devote a little extra to stopping the run, and wanting to avoid giving up the downfield shot plays, this could be a key game for tight ends like C.J. Dippre and Josh Cuevas, as well as Miller and Haynes out of the backfield as pass catchers.

Milroe will need to use his legs to extend plays and take advantage of the running opportunities that present themselves, but this weekend will be a great time to show the world how much he has evolved as a passer in the last year.

My money is on Milroe making magic; betting against him has been a loser's proposition.