Georgia has gotten a reputation for not being able to win big games. If anyone’s hesitant to pick Georgia to beat Alabama for that reason, there’s plenty of reason to understand.

But here’s one reason for Bulldog optimism on that front: The Bulldogs have actually played very well at home – especially in games that didn’t start at noon, which are notorious for upsets by the road team. (The home fans have less time to get excited, usually tamping down the energy in the crowd.)

Since 2010, Georgia is 31-4 at Sanford Stadium, including 5-3 against ranked teams.

The four losses:

– 2010: No. 12 Arkansas 31, Georgia 24 … noon start.

– 2011: No. 12 South Carolina 45, Georgia 42 … 4:30 start.

– 2013: No. 25 Missouri 41, No. 7 Georgia 26 …. noon start.

– 2014: No. 15 Georgia Tech 30, No. 8 Georgia 24 (OT) … noon start

The biggest wins at home over that span:

– 2011: No. 14 Georgia 45, No. 24 Auburn 7 … 3:30 start.

– 2013: No. 11 Georgia 41, No. 6 South Carolina 30 … 4:30 start.

– 2013: No. 9 Georgia 44, No. 6 LSU 41 … 3:30 start.

– 2014: No. 12 Georgia 45, No. 16 Clemson 21 … 5:30 start.

– 2014: No. 16 Georgia 34, No. 9 Auburn 7 … 7:15 start.

A few more last-minute numbers about this match-up:

SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE

6.87 – Georgia’s rushing yards per attempt

1.97 – Alabama opponents yards-per-rush

5.29 – Alabama’s rushing yards per attempt

3.09 – Georgia opponents yards-per-rush

GEORGIA’S (SLIGHT) AIR ADVANTAGE

10.6 – Georgia’s yards per pass attempt, which is fourth nationally.

6.3 – Alabama’s yards per pass attempt, which is 107th nationally.

5.4 – Georgia’s opponents’ yards per pass attempt, which is 15th nationally.

5.3 – Alabama’s opponents’ yards per pass attempt, which is 11th nationally.

THE KEY TO BEATING ALABAMA

Alabama has lost seven games since 2011. There’s one major thread in each of those games: Turnover margin:

0-Ole Miss (2015)

2-Ohio State (2014)

0-Ole Miss (2014)

1-Oklahoma (2013)

1-Auburn (2013)

0-Texas A&M (2012)

2-LSU (2011)

Note: Alabama’s turnover margin in those seven losses is minus-17. In its wins over that time the turnover margin is plus-38.