When there’s a big game to be played the DawgNation staff gets together for a series of posts examining the storylines involving a big game. This week for Georgia football at Alabama certainly applies here. How do DawgNation staffers Brandon Adams, Mike Griffith, Kaylee Mansell, Connor Riley and Jeff Sentell feel about this matchup?
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Big game Saturday. No matter which side you are on, this fall Saturday certainly feels like the epicenter of the college football world.
Say what you want about Alabama with all the funny jokes, the city of Tuscaloosa embraces football and the gameday tradition like few can in the mighty SEC. There’s a Bear Bryant Museum in the heart of the campus.
Something about that just feels right the way everyone in the Deep South feels about Saturdays in the fall.
Then just try walking past Bryant-Denny on a gameday Saturday.
That scene reflects all of that sentiment. From the frat houses with their pointed hot take signs, to the famed “Walk of Champions” with all the handprints of Alabama’s team captains over the years.
There’s a lot on the line for the Dawgs on Saturday. The SEC win streak. The regular season win streak.
Alabama is going to try to take that away from the Dawgs like they have so many times in the Kirby Smart era save for that evening at Lucas Oil Stadium.
How can they do that? We asked the DawgNation team about the potential path to a victory for the Tide against the Bulldogs on Saturday night in T-town.
When Georgia football plays a big game like this, we always try to go around the horn amongst the staff
This post is the fourth of those this week:
What’s the game plan for Alabama against Georgia? How can the Tide beat the Dawgs?
Brandon Adams: Georgia’s offense sputters
Why: We’ve talked a lot about the last three losses for Georgia against Alabama have all come with UGA scoring exactly 24 points. That’s more than just a trivial footnote. It takes points to beat the Crimson Tide – especially in their building.
Mike Griffith: Dynamic plays
Why: Jalen Milroe is arguably the most explosive dual-threat QB in the nation with his cannon arm and scrambling abilities, If Georgia doesn’t get to Milroe before he gets to them, it will be the type of shootout Alabama would like to make it.
Kaylee Mansell: Run game
Why: The two leading rushers per carry in the SEC are Alabama’s Jam Miller (9.14) and Jalen Milroe (8.68). UGA’s rushing defense is ninth in the SEC. If UGA can’t stop the run, then that’s less time Carson Beck has with the ball. If UGA can’t stop the run and maximize time of possession, it could be a bad night for the Dawgs.
Connor Riley: Jalen Milroe
Why: Georgia’s strength is obviously its defense. But if Milroe is able to create explosive plays — something he does better than any player in college football — it could be a very long day for the Bulldogs.
Jeff Sentell: The Tide stops the run again
Why: Alabama’s front pushed Georgia’s vaunted OL around in the SEC title game. The Dawgs wound up with 78 yards on just 31 carries. That’s 2.5 yards per attempt. If they can do that again, that makes Carson Beck’s job much tougher on the road at Saban Field inside Bryant-Denny.
Do you have an opinion here on this one? DawgNation welcomes you to join our huddle in the comments section below.
DAWGNATION HUDDLE SO FAR THIS WEEK:
-- Which Georgia Bulldog is poised for the big breakout win against Alabama?
-- How much does a win in Tuscaloosa actually matter to Georgia football this week?