I've Watched Every Snap Georgia has Taken This Year. Here's What is Coming at Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — All eyes are on Tuscaloosa.

That's tended to happen when Alabama and Georgia go head-to-head in recent years. The two college football goliaths have created one of the most competitive modern rivalries in the sport, and Saturday's matchup between the No. 6 Crimson Tide and No. 2 Bulldogs marks a continuation in a series defined by largely competitive games.

I sat down this week and watched every snap from all five of Georgia's games to date. Kirby Smart's squad has rolled to blowout victories against Tennessee State, Western Kentucky, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Vanderbilt. The average margin of victory in those games has been a calm 38 points. So despite the fact that none of those teams looks particularly good this year, we can draw a number of conclusions about the Bulldogs through the sheer dominance they have displayed.

So without further ado, here are the three position groups you need to know about ahead of Saturday's contest...

Quarterback

Can we please get rid of the negative connotation around "game manager?" The term gets tossed around in an almost derogatory manner, a slur in football verbatim. But the fact of the matter is that Gunner Stockton is a game manager, and he is a great one.

And he does everything Georgia needs him to do to win games.

This program just won consecutive national championships with Stetson Bennett at the helm. Stockton is playing as well, if not better than, Bennett ever did. He looks as polished, as mature, and as disciplined as any quarterback in the nation right now.

The numbers speak for themselves— 1,049 yards, 13 touchdowns, one interception. He leads the SEC in completion percentage (73.5%) and passer rating (202.0). One of the biggest storylines in this game will be whether or not Alabama can force Stockton into a mistake. It won't be easy, especially if rain is a factor.

It doesn't matter how good Alabama's defensive front looks or how many turnovers the secondary has forced. There is no quarterback this team has faced like Stockton, who is also probably the single player on this team whom I feel is least affected by the level of play to start the season. He's shown so many of these traits against some of the best in the SEC already last season, so I have little doubt that he will be able to set Georgia up to win the game.

Running Backs

Before moving into the run game, we have to talk about one final number from Stockton: 92.6. That is his completion percentage on passes under ten yards. As astounding as it sounds, it was even more impressive to watch. He's 25-for-27 on the season, and, after a while, I just became numb to it. If Stockton wants the short yardage, he gets it. Plain and simple.

This team has no problem piecing together a 12, 14, 16-play scoring drive. They stay on track, they don't give up many free yards, they're disciplined. The run game is an extension of that.

But the Bulldogs will be without Chauncey Bowens, who leads the team with six touchdowns on the ground. Meanwhile, Nate Frazier returns after missing most of the last two games (didn't play against Oklahoma, two carries for nine yards against Vanderbilt) with bruised ribs. Georgia has, per usual, been elite on the ground this year, and as long as Frazier is 100%, the possibility exists for that to continue on Saturday.

The junior is averaging an astounding 8.1 yards per carry, although his numbers are heavily inflated by the lack of SEC opposition. Dwight Phillips Jr., another junior, looked good over the past two games in an elevated role and should remain on the field often with Bowens out.

Alabama has held opponents to just 78.6 rushing yards per game, good for third in the SEC and tenth nationally. The only somewhat comparable defensive front that Georgia has faced is Oklahoma's, which, for all of its flaws, still has a very talented defense. Georgia wants to play conservatively, especially with a strong possibility of inclement weather. There's little doubt that Stockton will continue to be lethal in the short passing game, so Alabama's best chance to wreck Mike Bobo's game plan is by stopping these running backs.

It's a massive test for a defensive line that has excelled thus far.

Inside Linebackers

I don't have enough positive things to say about Chris Cole. I'd noticed him in last year's games, I'd seen him in the mock drafts, but I didn't have a full appreciation for how elite he was until I watched these five games without distractions. He is the single player on Georgia who consistently impressed me the most. My NFL scouting analysis should be taken with far less regard than that of the pros, but I fully see why he is being talked about as potentially going in the top half of the first round.

I've been impressed with Alabama's inside linebackers; I think that Caleb Woodson and Luke Metz have formed the core of what has become one of the stronger units on the team. But seeing Georgia reminds us that there are levels to this, and Cole is the heart of an elite group. His pursuit and mid-play recognition is elite, and I cannot wait to see him in the open field against EJ Crowell. The freshman has shown flashes of brilliance in making guys miss, Cole has shown a relentless refusal to get beat, so what will happen when they meet?

Then there's Raylen Wilson, whose 24 tackles and two tackles for loss lead the team. The senior is facing Alabama for the fifth time on Saturday, and Alabama fans may recall his 15-tackle masterpiece in the 2023 SEC Championship Game. He's continued to develop and should hear his name called in Day Two of April's draft.

Both of these guys continue the tradition of great Bulldog linebackers. They are the center of Glenn Schumann's defense, and are the single position group on either side of the ball that I have complete confidence in to dominate.

Scattered Thoughts

Georgia's defense is better than Alabama's. This shouldn't be a surprise; it was the expectation heading into the season. But it is worth remembering as we enter this contest. Alabama's aforementioned 78.6 rushing yards per game is elite, but Georgia's 57.4 is in another stratosphere (first in the SEC, third in the nation). I believe the inside linebackers are the most important unit, but there are few flaws across Schumann's group. Also worth a mention, TJ Bolden is the anchor of a talented secondary.

It will be a good day for those who enjoy high-level tight end play. Regardless of whether Josh Ford is able to play through his broken hand, Richard Owens' group has been a ridiculously fun watch through five games. Lawson Luckie is Georgia's biggest name and hauled in three balls for 59 yards and a touchdown against Arkansas, but the room is deep. Elyiss Williams is a 6-foot-7, 255-pound matchup nightmare, and Jaden Reddell and Kaiden Prothro have each found the end zone.

In Conclusion

I thought this game was going to be very fun on Sunday as I started to prepare for the matchup. After watching 300 minutes of Georgia football, I feel very strongly that we could be in for an instant classic.

Neither team has been tested with anything close to what they will face on Saturday, so we'll learn a ton about them both in Bryant-Denny Stadium. My prediction: regardless of who comes out on top, we'll all leave thinking that we just witnessed a great football game between two bona fide national championship contenders.

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