Tyler Booker compares matchups with Georgia to Alabama fall camp practices

Alabama and Georgia have created one of the best rivalries in the SEC that has exclusively occurred in the postseason in recent history. Squaring off only in SEC and National Championship game matchups in the past three college football seasons.

This upcoming season the Bulldogs and the Crimson Tide will face each other in the regular season for the first time since 2020. Slated for a highly anticipated, prime time Week 5 matchup in Tuscaloosa on September 28 that will air on ABC at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Booker was asked about the rivalry on Wednesday at SEC Media Days, revealing that games against the Bulldogs have represented some of his favorites in his college career.

“Well first of all, Georgia’s a great team,” Booker said. “Coach [Kirby] Smart has done a great job since he’s gotten there and I’ve definitely paid attention to them in the past few years. But to be able to play against them, it’s probably some of the most fun I’ve had playing football just because it’s such a great program that’s similar to ours.”

Georgia and Alabama have become the class of the SEC, with the two programs representing nine of the last 10 SEC Championship winners.

Smart has built the Georgia program into a national powerhouse after spending time as the defensive coordinator at Alabama under Nick Saban. Two programs who have boasted so much consistent depth on their rosters that practices can sometimes come across as more difficult than games.

Except for when the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs face one another.

“So going into Georgia, we used to joke in the offensive line room like man, this is gonna be like a fall camp practice. Because they run a lot of the same stuff that our defense runs. So I just love playing great teams and they’re definitely one them,” Booker said.

Alabama now has a new head coach this season for the first time since 2006 following the retirement of Saban and the hiring of Kalen DeBoer. But as DeBoer looks to maintain the championship standard in Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide still boasts one of the most talented rosters in the country. Which they look like they’ll continue doing based on DeBoer’s recent dominance on the recruiting trail.

“Well that’s the reason you come to Alabama, you come to Alabama to play and practice against the best so when the games come food time,” Booker said. “You’re just having fun at that point.”

Georgia and Alabama’s regular season matchup this upcoming season will certainly be fun to watch, tabbed by many as one of the most highly anticipated games of the exciting 2024 college football season.