SEC Championship Preview: Alabama offense vs. Georgia defense

Join BamaOnLine staff writer Clint Lamb and team expert Jimmy Stein as they break down the SEC Championship Game between No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 8 Alabama. They start off with a College Football Playoff discussion before diving into Alabama’s offense vs. Georgia’s defense.

-How is Oregon ranked ahead of Alabama

-Does Kamari Lassiter shadow Jermaine Burton?

-Why Jalen Milroe matters so much in this game

-Will Georgia use five-star freshman Raylen Wilson as a spy?

-Georgia’s edge play and how that affects Kadyn Proctor

-And more!

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Iron Bowl – Snap Count Observations

Quarterback

Jalen Milroe – 69 snaps (100%)

Observations: Overall, Milroe posted a really good performance on Saturday.

The only knock I have would be his unwillingness to run, especially early in the game. Part of that could be due to the hit he took against Kentucky, as we also didn’t see him do much on that front against Chattanooga either. But as I’ve said for weeks now, this Alabama offense is at its best when Milroe is willing to use his legs, whether that be through improvisation or designed QB runs. He was still extremely productive on the ground (17 carries for 111 yards if you take away Auburn’s lone sack). I just thought he could’ve been closer to his LSU rushing output (155 yards, four touchdowns) if he would’ve been more willing to run in a couple of other situations.

His deep ball was a major factor once again. He completed three of his five attempts of 20 yards or more for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Both scores and 99 of those yards came on the 68-yard strike to Jermaine Burton at the end of the first half and the 31-yard game-winner to Isaiah Bond with less than a minute to go in the game. I’d like to see him be more efficient on third down though. He either threw the football or ran it on 13 of Alabama’s third-down attempts, and he only converted four of them. After starting 4-of-6 on that front, he failed on seven straight. Part of the issue was the result of those two illegal forward passes.

So, I guess I actually had two knocks. Still, the guy battled and continued to make plays in a variety of ways. And when you consider the environment and opponent, I’d argue that it was what Alabama needed. Why? Because Milroe once again complemented his playmaking with protecting the football. As I mentioned on X soon after the game, he’s the first UA quarterback to go into Jordan Hare Stadium and avoid turning the football over since Jake Coker in 2015. The list of guys who aren’t able to say the same? Jalen Hurts, Mac Jones and Bryce Young. All three are starters in the NFL.

Milroe has now started 10 games against Power Five opponents (nine in 2023 with Texas A&M in 2022). Over his first 6.5 starts, he turned the football over nine times (six interceptions, three fumbles). Over his last 3.5 starts against Power Five opponents, he’s only had one turnover… total. So when you look at his limited turnovers and willingness to run the football more nowadays, he’s essentially become a version of Hurts from 2017 — but with way better vertical accuracy. I mean, just look at how he’s performed over his last three SEC starts:

• 46/69 (66.7%)
• 712 yards (10.3 YPA)
• 5 TD/1 INT
• 44 carries, 311 yards, 7 TD (excludes sacks)

That’s good for 341 yards and four scores per game.

For more offensive snap count observations, click here (On3+ subscription required).

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