The last time Georgia won a national championship came way back in 1980, long before the idea of a winner-take-all game came to fruition, back when poll voters sorted through bowl game results to choose the top team in the country. They squared off with Alabama four years ago for the national title, going into halftime with a lead, only to see Alabama switch out quarterbacks, come back to tie the game and then win the title on an improbable bomb in overtime. Now the Bulldogs find themselves back in the national championship game – and they find Alabama awaiting them once again. Georgia opened as three-point college football betting favorites for Monday’s National Championship game, and although that line has dipped to 2 ½ points, you can make a case that the Bulldogs will win. Read on to consider whether you should take Georgia to win it all.
NCAA News: Why Georgia Will Win the National Championship
Stetson Bennett will Bounce Back
When 2021 began, Bennett was the backup quarterback, but an injury to J.T. Daniels gave Bennett the opportunity to start, and even when Daniels recovered, Bennett’s performance kept him in the starting job. In the SEC Championship, Bennett was 29 of 48 for 340 yards and three scores – but he also had a pair of interceptions, including a big pick-six. Against Michigan in the CFP semifinal, he threw for 310 yards and three touchdowns – without a turnover. On the year, Bennett has posted a 27:7 TD:INT ratio, and he averages 10.1 yards per attempt, tied for second in the nation. He also ran for 283 yards, showing more mobility than Daniels. If he can show more command of the offense – and avoid turnovers – Bennett could end up with a different result in the championship.
Georgia’s skill Position Players will Contribute more
Alabama and Georgia are terrific defensive teams, but with the crazy skill that Alabama has, starting with quarterback Bryce Young, this is not likely to be a grindfest. Georgia put up 24 in the SEC Championship but will need to break 30 to win this game. Alabama’s defense only permitted 19.2 points per game on the season, but Georgia broke that while turning the ball over twice. Georgia has Zamir White (772 yards), James Cook (651) and Kenny McIntosh (324) all ready to carry the ball, and Cook also has 24 catches for 256 yards and four receiving touchdowns out of the backfield, and he caught four passes in the SEC Championship. Look for tight ends Brock Bowers and Darnell Washington to cause matchup problems for the Tide, as Bowers is quick for his position and Washington is 6’7”. Bowers had ten catches for 139 yards in the SEC Championship. Wide receivers Ladd McConkey (30 catches), Adonai Mitchell (27), Jermaine Burton (24 catches for an average of 19.5 yards apiece) and Kearis Jackson (16) are all solid options, and George Pickens will return after missing the regular season due to an ACL tear in spring practice. Pickens had two catches for 41 yards in the SEC Championship and needs to contribute even more on Monday.
Georgia’s defense will be Better Prepared
Even with the 41 points that Alabama hung on Georgia in the SEC Championship, the Bulldogs permitted an average of 9.6 points per game on the season. They held seven opponents to single digits, and no opponent besides Alabama totaled more than 17. The defense’s best part is the front seven, as the Bulldogs only permit 2.7 yards per carry on the season. Jalen Carter, Devonte Wyatt, Nakobe Dean and Jordan Davis are the anchors of the defense, and the unit as a whole posted 46 sacks and 92 tackles for loss, tops in the nation in red zone defense. The secondary had a difficult time against Alabama the first time around, and the pass rush did not get much pressure on Young. Both units will need to work better against Young for Georgia to have a chance in the rematch.
Georgia has the talent to knock off Alabama, so if you’re going off rosters, the Bulldogs have a case as the favorite. If Kirby Smart can manage the mental part of the game and can help his team believe that they can get through the Crimson Tide, then Georgia’s hopes will be significantly higher
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