Without much competition in their respective bowl games, both Alabama and Georgia advance to the CFB national championship for a rematch of the SEC championship matchup.
Obviously, the Crimson Tide came out of that game victorious with a weak showing from Georgia’s Stetson Bennett and their defense and a Heisman calibre performance from Bryce Young. For a frame of reference, Georgia only allowed an average of 7.2 points but Alabama put up 41 against the Dawgs.
Press Row Poll Question: Who is your one-week-out pick for winning the national title? 🏈
— ESPN Chattanooga (@ESPNChattanooga) January 3, 2022
Our community poll has Georgia taking this game by a slim margin but let’s break down all the takes from our team here at ESPN 95.3.
Wells Guthrie- Program Director and Press Row Host
“I’m not going to be surprised with any score other than Alabama absolutely ripping the Dawgs’ head off for the second time, that probably won’t happen again. I like Bryce Young more than I like Stetson Bennet but Alabama is going to need more guys to make big plays this time around. I’m doing this thing again where I convince myself to bet against Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide and I’ve been hurt every damn time. But I’m ready to get hurt again, it’s Georgia’s opportunity and it’s right infront of them–Georgia wins this game.”
David Paschall- Press Row Host
“You think about the prominent story lines out there. One being that Nick Saban hasn’t lost to one of his former Crimson Tide assistants. You’ve got Bryce Young, the former five star, and Stetson Bennett, the former walk on. I’m surprised people aren’t making a bigger deal out of Bill O’Brien in this game. He has to replace John Metchie but having Bill O’Brien could be a plus because he has more experience with rematches than anyone else out there. On Monday when we asked the poll question, I was leaning to Georgia and that hasn’t changed for me.”
Jake Moore – Watch It! Host
“As a Georgia fan, I was shocked by the results in the SEC Championship game but I can’t say that I’m scared of Alabama in this championship. It was just a bad day for the Dawgs in Atlanta, nothing was working for them after that first quarter. The big thing for me is that the Dawgs defense needs to blitz way more frequently. When Georgia blitzed in the SEC championship game, Bryce Young was 8-20 with 91 yards and no TDs. But we all know what happened with they gave Bryce time in the pocket, he ripped them to shreds. The defense just needs to be the Georgia defense and Stetson Bennet has got to stay calm offensively and just trust the running game and not force impossible throws. For Alabama, they need guys to step up big time to fill the void of John Metchie. I have a hard time betting against Alabama but thats exactly what I’m going to do, Go Dawgs!”
Greg Larnerd- Host of The Word with G
Chase Green- Chatt It Up co-host
“Nick Saban has averaged 12.5 wins per year since arriving in Tuscaloosa, and you are only guaranteed 12 games. Bryce Young & Alabama exposed Georgia on December 4th in the SEC championship. But, it is tough to beat a team twice in a season. The Georgia stars shine bright and make up for their mediocrity in Atlanta. Nakobe Dean, Travon Walker, and Jordan Davis dominate a banged up Alabama offense and Georgia gets redemption in Indy.”
Malcom Harris- Chatt It Up co-host
“Death. Taxes. Alabama winning big games. Those are the things that are guaranteed in this lifetime. As great as Georgia has been, can they mentally get over the Alabama hurdle that has been in the minds of fans for years. This is arguably the biggest game in Georgia Football history, and although Georgia has stars, Alabama has playmakers of its own that will shine bright on College Football’s biggest stage led by Will Anderson and Bryce Young. Expect Georgia’s best punch without question, but ultimately a knockout blow is awaiting the Dawgs on Monday.”
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