For the third time in five years, the Georgia Bulldogs (11-1) will go up against the Alabama Crimson Tide (10-2) Saturday for the SEC Championship. This battle of titans will be a rematch of the September matchup at Sanford Stadium, where Bama handed UGA its only loss of the season, 24-21.
Going into the weekend, the Dawgs didn’t have a ticket to Atlanta. After a Texas A&M (11-1) loss secured UGA’s spot, fans knew what was on the horizon. Georgia’s opponent was still undecided going into Saturday night, but another entry in the UGA/Bama saga felt inevitable. These two teams always feel destined to meet on the biggest stage, and destiny had her say.
If you’re reading this, you know the history of this matchup. Facing your boogeyman should be a scary proposition for all in red & black, but most fans are excited to get another crack at the Crimson Tide. Saturday is really a free shot at your biggest opposition.
Being 11-1 and a top-four team going into the conference championship, UGA really has nothing to lose and everything to gain. If the Dawgs were to lose to Alabama Saturday, they would most likely lose their first-round bye in the College Football Playoff, but will still be in no matter what. Worst case, Georgia would be playing a home playoff game at Sanford Stadium in the first round. That sounds awesome. If they can conquer the Tide, this can hopefully be what the Dawgs need to break the hold that is over them and set the rivalry on a more favorable course. Additionally, as the cherry on top, a UGA victory would very possibly knock Alabama out of the playoff, as it would be the Tide’s third loss. Saturday has the potential to be a true day of celebration in Athens.
On top of all that, eventually the ball has to just bounce your way. However, this has been thought for the last several games, and it has yet to happen. A team this consistently great, with the best coach in college football, can only be beaten in miraculous fashion so many times. That number is already way more than what should be possible, but it will come to an end at some point. Dec. 6 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium could be that day.
The last 11 games have not been great, aside from the 2021 natty:
- 2025 — Athens, GA: Alabama 24, Georgia 21
- 2024 — Tuscaloosa, AL: Alabama 41, Georgia 34
- 2023 — Atlanta, GA: Alabama 27, Georgia 24 (SEC Championship)
- 2022 — Indianapolis, IN: Georgia 33, Alabama 18 (National Championship)
- 2021 — Atlanta, GA: Alabama 41, Georgia 24 (SEC Championship)
- 2020 — Tuscaloosa, AL: Alabama 41, Georgia 24
- 2018 — Atlanta, GA: Alabama 35, Georgia 28 (SEC Championship)
- 2018 — Atlanta, GA: Alabama 26, Georgia 23 (National Championship)
- 2015 — Athens, GA: Alabama 38, Georgia 10
- 2012 — Atlanta, GA: Alabama 32, Georgia 28 (SEC Championship)
- 2008 — Athens, GA: Alabama 41, Georgia 30
Georgia fans have unfortunately had to accept their role as the “little brother” in this matchup after so many traumatizing losses, so most know the ridiculousness of puffing your chest. With that said, UGA enters the conference title game as one of the hottest teams in the country, in a great position for a program-changing victory.
Plus some hardware too.
Fans all shared a similar reaction. There’s real excitement in Athens, but no one’s forgetting who’s on the other sideline.
