What was learned from the Alabama Crimson Tide victory over Georgia

What happened in Tuscaloosa Saturday night felt like two football games. In the first one, the Alabama Crimson Tide raced out to a 28-0 lead and went to halftime leading 30-7. In the second game, Georgia roared back with 27 second-half points to lead 34-33. Ultimately, two magical plays gave the Alabama Crimson Tide the 41-34 victory.

For Alabama football fans what transpired was a mixture of celebration and agony. The first half was about as joyful as a game can be. Much of the second half felt like death by a thousand cuts. Alabama prevailed, gaining more than just the first great Alabama Football win for Kalen DeBoer. It also earned a statement win pushing the Crimson Tide into the center of the national title conversation.

Crimson celebrations aside, it too was a game that Georgia could have won. In many moments of the second half, it appeared the Bulldogs would win.

What was learned from the Alabama Crimson Tide victory

• Alabama has plenty of grit to add to its talent. Gaining the win required resilience that must be taught and learned. Credit should go to not just DeBoer but the entire coaching staff.

• Jalen Milroe was sensational. The Alabama football offense gained 547 yards. Milroe passed for 374 yards and ran for 117 more. Carson Beck passed for 439 yards and almost won the game for Georgia. But. Beck was not the best QB in the game. Jalen Milroe was.

• The Crimson Tide offensive line not allowing a single sack might have been the quiet difference in the game.

• During the preseason and the first three games, Kalen DeBoer, Kane Wommack, and Nick Sheridan stressed true freshmen would be asked to carry big loads. Alabama would not have beaten Georgia without outstanding plays by Ryan Williams and Zabien Brown. Williams was targeted seven times against Georgia. He caught six passes for 177 yards and a touchdown. Zabien Brown made the interception that saved the Crimson Tide victory. Freshman defensive back, Jaylen Mbakwe also had a key pass breakup.

• Alabama played conservatively on defense in the second half. It turned out to not be a bad decision but generating quarterback pressure with four pass-rushers must improve. In fairness to Georgia, Kirby Smart and his staff made better second-half adjustments than did DeBoer's staff.

• One more point matters more than the others. A reasonable expectation for the 2024 season was that Alabama could become a championship-caliber team. The Crimson Tide is ahead of schedule. Alabama was not supposed to be this good this soon. Alabama is far from a finished product. When (not if) it becomes one, the rest of the college football world will be in big trouble.

After the game, Kalen DeBoer said he tells his players "you get what you deserve." Alabama deserved its win over Georgia. A bonus came through a real-game experience of one of DeBoer's other frequent lessons. That lesson is, whatever happens, just keep playing.

Note: Game and player stats provided by ESPN.