Georgia
With the whole world penciling in Notre Dame vs. Alabama for the BCS National Championship, the Georgia Bulldogs are going to shock a lot of people when they upset the Crimson Tide this weekend.
Georgia has a better offense than any team in the SEC, led by junior quarterback Aaron Murray. He’s thrown 30 touchdowns compared to only seven interceptions, and has plenty of weapons for receivers. Running the ball, the Bulldogs have the two-headed monster of Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall, who both average more than six yards per carry.
On the defensive side of the ball, they have a likely top-three pick in next year’s NFL draft with junior linebacker Jarvis Jones. He’s as big of a defensive game-changer as you will find in college football. The Bulldogs also have defensive tackle Johnathan Jenkins and inside linebacker Alec Ogletree, who are both projected first-round draft picks.
Alabama is a good team and has a couple of good wins against Michigan and LSU. However, we already saw a freshman quarterback destroy their defense earlier this season. Just imagine what Murray is going to do in this game.
The only drawback for Georgia is that the Crimson Tide have shown they can step up in big games, but I think it’s time for the Bulldogs to finally take that next step.
-Bobby Nightengale
Alabama
Despite their loss to Texas A&M, there is little doubt in my mind that Alabama is the cream of the crop in college football this year.
And the Crimson Tide will show that Saturday afternoon when they beat Georgia in the SEC Championship game.
Alabama has the best combination of offense and defense in the country. Their offense put up 39 points per game this season while their defense only surrendered nine points a ballgame.
The Crimson Tide have played a tough schedule beating No. 8 Michigan, No. 11 Mississippi State and No. 5 LSU on the road.
Meanwhile, Georgia played nobody with their signature win being an eight point victory at home against No. 2 Florida. They also got manhandled 35-7 against No. 6 South Carolina.
I expect Alabama to beat Georgia rather easily in the SEC title game. It’s really simple, Alabama is the better team.
They have the championship pedigree and experience, winning the National Championship a season ago, to go along with great talent and coaching.
Nick Saban is one of the best coach in the country. He will have his team prepared offensively and defensively.
It looks like it’s going to be the Crimson Tide and the Fighting Irish for all the marbles in January.
-Alex Ross
