CFB: Georgia Attempts to Breakthrough
No. 3 Georgia (13-1, 7-1) is one win away from breaking through into the elite of college football programs, but the team standing in their way, No. 4 Alabama (12-1, 7-1), isn't going to go down easily. The Crimson Tide are the staple of greatness, winning four titles in the last decade, and have a chance to add another one on Monday. This title game only gets even more interesting since it's all-SEC, the first championship game since 2011 that had two teams from the same conference. Plus, Kirby Smart will be trying to become the first former Nick Saban assistant to defeat him. Our CFB Staff will look in depth at the matchup and make a prediction.
1. Can Jake Fromm handle the pressure as a freshman? Jake Fromm has risen above all doubt that he is too young and inexperienced, leading his team to an SEC championship and a College Football Playoff win at just 19-years-old, is truly special. A very calm demeanor and relaxed poise will show up again against Alabama. Fromm has passed for 2,383 yards, 23 touchdowns, and only five interceptions. In the Rose Bowl against No. 2 Oklahoma, he threw for 210 yards on 69.0 percent passing. He will be able to handle the Alabama pressure even though he just faced an Oklahoma defense, who isn't nearly as good as Alabama’s. He proved he can throw with the best of them.
2. Will Alabama’s offense look better against Georgia than it did against Clemson?Alabama's offense looked good against No. 1 Clemson, but Georgia is a different story. Despite giving up a lot of points to Oklahoma, the Dawgs did rise up in key situations. Jalen Hurts threw for 120 yards on 66.7 percent passing, as well as two touchdowns, but he may need to do more if Georgia is able to put up a lot of points. The Bulldogs are going to key in on him, and try to limit his athleticism, like they did to Baker Mayfield in the second half. Alabama will need their defense to come through for them to win the game, even if Hurts is able to play up to the same level that he did against Clemson. It's going to take more to beat Georgia.
3. Which running back is more important to Georgia winning it all? At the beginning of the season, Nick Chubb was the go to guy, but in recent events, Sony Michel has seemed to steal the show and he could be more of a factor and key than Chubb on championship Monday. But that doesn't mean that Chubb won't have a huge impact as well. As we saw in the Rose Bowl, the two can work together to carry the team. Michel had 181 yards and four total touchdowns. Chubb had 145 yards and a pair of touches. If they can do that again, the Bulldogs should win the big game. Chubb is more of a ground and pound running back, and they will certainly need that against Alabama’s tough run defense. If he can get going, it opens up a lot of things for the Georgia offense, which would help Michel get more touches on the outside, where he plays best.
4. How does Jennings' injury impact the title game?Anfernee Jennings going down on Monday was a tragic loss to the Crimson Tide defense. However, Alabama has so many talented individuals who can rotate into that Tide defense and provide just an equal showing as with Jennings on the field. But that doesn't mean that they back-ups are going to play up to the same level that Jennings played against Clemson. It'll be tough to recreate that performance. He brings a ton of toughness to the Tide defense, which another player will have to step up and bring. They will be fine, though, their defense is stacked with great athletes and play makers.
5. Who wins the game, why, and who’s the biggest difference maker? The CFP national title game is going to be a close game, according to all three of our experts. "As much as I want to pick Georgia after continuously proving the disbelievers wrong, I simply can't," Chase Zayac said. "As long as Nick Saban is around in Tuscaloosa, you can count on me picking Alabama every single time." Charles Post agrees with the outcome, explaining that Georgia will be able to move the ball in the first half, but after halftime adjustments, the Crimson Tide will gain the advantage in the second half and ride that momentum to another championship. But Chinedum Wejinya is going against the grain: "I think Georgia will win, 27-20. It will be a tough game, but I think Georgia's defense will be able to hold the Alabama offense, enough to pull out a tight victory." It would be the Bulldogs' first title since 1980 if they are able to pull the upset on Monday!
Chase Zayac: Alabama (20-14)
Charles Post: Alabama (27-24)
Chinedum Wejinya: Georgia (27-20)
Caleb Henderson: Georgia (30-21)
Greg Schwochow: Alabama (17-14)
Tyler Taylor: Georgia (27-14)
Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated.
