Alabama wins 2023 SEC championship, throws College Football Playoff race into chaos

In a rematch of the 2021 SEC Championship between Alabama and Georgia, the result was the same two years later. The No. 1 Bulldogs entered Saturday’s contest against the Crimson Tide riding a 29-game winning streak, having not lost since the 2021 conference title game against Alabama.

The Crimson Tide snapped that historic streak with a 27-24 victory in a game that came down to the wire. The win not only kept Alabama’s hope of making the College Football Playoff alive, but also throws Georgia’s case into serious doubt.

Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe finished the day with 192 yards and two touchdowns in the win. He also added 29 yards rushing, including two big ones to run out the clock on the final drive, as he earned the SEC Championship MVP award.

The Crimson Tide entered the fourth quarter holding on to a 20-10 victory, but the Bulldogs refused to go down easily. After a big punt return from Anthony Evans, Georgia began a drive at the Alabama 35-yard line and scored in only four plays as Carson Beck ran it in on a QB sneak to cut the deficit to three.

Alabama answered with a touchdown on the ensuing drive, keeping the connection between Milroe and Isaiah Bond alive before Roydell Williams punched it in from the 1. Georgia came back to score again, putting the pressure on Alabama’s offense to close out the game.

The Bulldogs never got the ball back as Milroe once again came up big with a 30-yard run on the ensuing drive. He later rushed for a nine-yard gain with to secure a second first down, allowing the Crimson Tide to run out the clock for the win.

It wasn’t the start that Alabama wanted in first half as Georgia came out strong. The Bulldogs defense forced a three-and-out from the Crimson Tide on the opening drive to quickly get the ball for their first possession. It took them eight plays to march down the field before Kendall Milton broke free for a 15-yard touchdown to take a 7-0 lead.

Alabama’s offense took a bit to get going after again going three-and-out on the ensuing drive, but would soon settle in. By the third time the Crimson Tide got the ball, they managed a field goal from Will Reichard to cut the deficit before the end of the first quarter. It also represented history for Reichard, who became the FBs’ all-time leading scorer with the make.

That was the beginning of what would be 17 unanswered points for Alabama as the Crimson Tide went on to score touchdowns on their final two drives of the first half. After a shaky start to the first quarter, Milroe found his footing to throw two touchdowns for 110 yards before halftime.

With the win against Georgia, Alabama claimed its fourth SEC Championship in the past six seasons. It has not lost in any conference championship game it has appeared in since 2008. Now both teams will await the results of the final conference title contests and hope to get into the Playoff.

How Alabama beating Georgia in SEC Championship affects the CFP

Georgia now faces an uphill battle to make the College Football Playoff, as it seemingly needs both No. 4 Florida State and No. 2 Michigan to lose in their respective conference championship games Saturday evening.

Despite winning, Alabama doesn’t have a clear cut case either, though. The Crimson Tide also need one of the Seminoles and Wolverines to lose in order to be assured of making the field. For now, it appears the No. 3 Washington and No. 7 Texas, which beat Alabama in Week 2, are both in after winning their respective conference titles.

The Crimson Tide could still get in ahead of Florida State even if the Seminoles do lose, however. FSU starting quarterback Jordan Travis suffered a season-ending injury and Tate Rodemaker is sitting out the ACC Championship, meaning the team is down to third-string Brock Glenn.

There’s been some debate as to whether the Seminoles are truly one of the top four teams in the country without their best player. If they struggle in the ACC title against Louisville, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Alabama move ahead of them as the fourth team in.

For now, we’ll simply have to wait and see how it all unfolds.