Georgia football legend and College Football Hall of Fame selection David Pollack picked Alabama to beat the Bulldogs in Saturday night’s titanic clash.
“Nick Saban built this Alabama dynasty with Kirby Smart at his side,” ESPN College GameDay host Rece Davis said. “Kirby has come within an eyelash of topping the king twice.”
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Pollack, along with College GameDay analyst Desmond Howard and Lee Corso, said he believes the Crimson Tide will make it three in a row over Kirby Smart in the 8 p.m. game at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.
Kirk Herbstreit was the sole panelist to pick Georgia.
“I think (Nick) Saban coming back gives them a shot in the arm. I think everybody’s motivated,” Pollack said.
“I think Georgia’s offense is too young at this point right now. I don’t think they can do enough to really take advantage of Alabama’s defense. I think Alabama is going to win.”
Earlier in the week, former Georgia quarterback and current CBS analyst Aaron Murray also picked Alabama to beat the Bulldogs.
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Howard, on Saturday’s ESPN GameDay show, had a similar take to Pollack’s.
“Alabama averages 51 points a game. They’ve got playmakers all over the field,” Howard said. “I know Georgia is great on defense, but they don’t have enough DBs that can cover all the wideouts that Alabama has. Plus, I believe Nick Saban will be coaching. I’m going with Bama.”
Popular ESPN panelist Lee Corso, shown remote atop a large fake element, also picked Alabama to win.
Herbstreit said new UGA offensive coordinator Todd Monken would be the difference for the Bulldogs.
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“I’m going to go with Georgia. I’ve been thinking about this back and forth,” Herbstreit said. “Georgia’s defense, I think, is the real deal.
“I do think that Todd Monken is able to come up with enough offense, as far as bunch formations, trips, just unusual looks to try and confuse the Alabama defense, and I’m going to go with Georgia.”
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