Saturday night in Athens was a cause for celebration, and the festivities began even before kickoff. Georgia clinched the SEC East Championship after Missouri’s decisive 36-7 victory over Tennessee. This marks Georgia’s sixth SEC East Championship in eight years under Kirby Smart.
Brock Bowers made a notable return to the lineup after a month-long absence due to tightrope surgery for a sprained ankle. He finished the game with three receptions for 34 yards and a touchdown. Georgia capped off its home schedule with a commanding 52-17 triumph over No. 9 Ole Miss. Although the game initially seemed like it could be a high-scoring affair, Georgia ultimately pulled away, extending its SEC record to 29 straight wins. Rather than breaking down the blowout, let’s shift our focus to the upcoming SEC Championship opponent.
A Familiar Foe
On December 2nd in Atlanta, Georgia will encounter a familiar opponent: Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide. This marks the third Championship game meeting between the teams under Smart and Saban. The Tide has been a constant challenge for Georgia at Mercedes Benz Stadium, winning both prior SEC Championship matchups. In 2018, Jalen Hurts, coming off the bench, led the Tide to a late come-from-behind victory. Two years ago, Alabama appeared unstoppable, defeating undefeated Georgia 41-24. Unlike in 2021, it’s improbable that two SEC teams will make the College Football Playoff this time. Instead, this game is akin to a pseudo-play-in match, with the victor likely securing one of the top spots.
Way Too Early SEC Championship Preview
Georgia Strengths: A Potent Offense
Heading into the 2023 season, the Georgia offense faced numerous uncertainties. Could Georgia maintain its dynamism with Todd Monken and Stetson Bennett transitioning to the NFL? Was Mike Bobo capable of leading a potent offense after less-than-stellar results at South Carolina and Auburn? Crucially, who would step up as the quarterback? Despite the initial questions and a few sluggish starts, the Georgia offense has proven to be elite for most of the season. Currently ranking sixth in total offense and averaging over 40 points per game, Georgia has showcased its prowess. After being tied 14 Saturday night, Georiga went on a 31-0 run between the 2nd and 4th quarters.
While the ground game may not be as robust as in the past, Carson Beck has excelled in utilizing a variety of receivers to challenge opposing defenses. Beck has four games this season with at least 300+ yards throwing and multiple touchdown passes. With now-healthy Ladd McConkey and Bowers added to the mix, Georgia should be able to score almost at will against any team in the country. Transfers Dominic Lovett and Rara Thomas are growing more comfortable and showing to be complementary pieces and dynamic threats in their own right.
Georgia Weaknesses
In the past two years, Georgia’s defense has dominated opposing offenses, but this season has appeared vulnerable, particularly in the early stages of games. The team has seen several of its opponents surge to early leads this season. Notably, 11 out of 12 red-zone possessions for opponents resulted in touchdowns. Take tonight’s Ole Miss game, for example. The Rebels quickly scored on two of their first three drives. It’s definitely a red flag as the team approaches the SEC Championship and possibly the College Football Playoff. But there is hope.
During Georiga’s back-to-back championship runs, fans have grown accustomed to expecting perfection and keeping the opponent’s score at zero on the scoreboard. However, this season’s defense is younger. Co-defensive coordinators Glenn Schumann and Will Muschamp have demonstrated great skill in their in-game adjustments. The defense has tended to initially yield ground early and then intensify the pressure as the game progresses. The defense will have their handful with one of the most dynamic players in the SEC, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe.
Don’t Look Past The Tide
The Tide seemed defeated at the start of the season. That was the prevailing narrative in the season’s first month, at least. Texas entered Tuscaloosa and dominated the TIde in Week 2, leading to Milroe’s benching. A week later, in Tampa, Alabama barely scraped by USF amid lousy weather and a subpar offensive performance, marking what seemed like the low point for Alabama in 2023. However, they’ve turned it around in the final two weeks of the regular season, finding their quarterback in Milroe and building confidence.
Milroe has been a key factor for the Tide, showcasing his arm and legs. He’s contributed to 22 touchdowns this season (13 passing, 9 rushing) while effectively minimizing turnovers. This plays into the true strength of the Tide in 2023: their defense. Under Kevin Steele’s guidance, Alabama’s defense has stabilized, successfully shutting down explosive offenses Ole Miss and LSU this season. No doubt that round three will undoubtedly be enjoyable for both teams and their fans. With two games left for each team, maintaining focus is crucial if they aim to use the SEC Championship as a launchpad into the College Football Playoff.
