DawgsHQ Staff Predictions: Week 14 (Georgia-Alabama, others)

We’ve talked all week about this game, and it’s almost here. Top-ranked Georgia meets Alabama with the SEC crown and a spot in the College Football Playoffs on the line. For the Bulldogs, the hay is in the barn. For the DawgsHQ crew, we’re just about there, but have one last thing to share: our final predictions for the 2023 SEC Championship Game.

*** Georgia was a 24-point favorite last Saturday against Georgia Tech. The Bulldogs did not cover the spread, correctly predicted by Jeremy and Palmer, the regular season champion of the pick-em with an outstanding record. This week, Georgia comes in as a 6-point favorite for the SEC Championship Game against Alabama. ***

Jeremy Johnson (30-36-4)

Georgia will be in for another classic showdown on Saturday night. The Bulldogs will make big plays late relying on Brock Bowers and Carson Beck to become heroes in the latest installment of this heavyweight battle. (Georgia 28, Alabama 24)

Rusty Mansell

I think this is going to be a tight, back and forth game, but Georgia gets just enough stops in the fourth quarter to stretch it out. Carson Beck earns the MVP with 285+ yards and three touchdowns. Mykel Williams has an impressive outing against the left side of that offensive line with a sack and two TFLs. (Georgia 34, Alabama 24)

Jake Reuse (31-35-4)

This one is tough, man. Alabama has gotten progressively better over the season. So, too, has Georgia. Alabama’s defensive vulnerability (the middle, for my money) is the area where Carson Beck has been so deadly. Georgia’s defensive vulnerability is where Jalen Milroe has been so deadly. For me, the key here? KM2. If Milton can continue to run the way he has been and get the blocking he’s been getting, I think it’s going to allow Georgia to control this game. Based on the last few weeks, I think that’ll happen. I’m also thinking there’s a surprise in here somewhere, whether an Arian Smith breakaway, some Dillon Bell trickery, or Malaki Starks/Mykel Williams doing what big-time players do in big-time games. It won’t be easy, and it better be clean if you want to pull this one out. (Georgia 30, Alabama 24)

Jake Rowe (31-35-4)

I completely understand the idea that this Georgia team and this Alabama team are completely different than the ones that played before. Still, I have a tough time getting the Crimson Tide’s dominance in Atlanta off my mind. I believe the Bulldogs are a better, more well-rounded football team. I believe that both their floors and their ceilings are higher and if they play their best game, it’s a wrap. 

But I also know how they have found ways to play perilously poorly against the Crimson Tide. Jalen Milroe has the potential to give Georgia fits, especially as a scrambler, but I also think Georgia’s passing game has the ability to really attack the intermediate level of Alabama’s defense and pick up yards after the catch. There have been a couple of times this week when I’ve thought I might pick Georgia to cover, but I’m going a different direction for my final pick. I look for Dominic Lovett and Brock Bowers to have strong showings in the middle of the field and for the Bulldogs to make the play in the fourth quarter to pull out a close win. (Georgia 27, Alabama 24)

Palmer Thombs (43-23-4)

I said it in my keys to victory, this game is going to be decided by whether or not Georgia’s defense can get enough stops. In my mind, the separation between the UGA offense and Alabama defense is wider than the inverse. The Bulldog defense gets just enough stops to pull this one out. Brock Bowers has a big game with the week of rest that he got while Mykel Williams comes up big for defense. (Georgia 31, Alabama 27)

National Games of the Week (Against the Spread)

No. 5 Oregon (-9.5) vs. No. 3 Washington / 8:00 p.m. ET (FRI), ABC
Jeremy: Oregon
Reuse: Washington
Rowe: Washington
Palmer: Washington

No. 18 Oklahoma State vs. No. 7 Texas (-15.5) / 12:00 p.m. ET, ABC
Jeremy: Oklahoma State
Reuse: Texas
Rowe: Oklahoma State
Palmer: Oklahoma State

SMU vs. No. 22 Tulane (-3.5) / 4:00 p.m. ET, ABC
Jeremy: SMU
Reuse: SMU
Rowe: SMU
Palmer: Tulane

No. 2 Michigan (-21.5) vs. No. 16 Iowa / 8:00 p.m. ET, FOX
Jeremy: Michigan
Reuse: Michigan
Rowe: Iowa
Palmer: Michigan

No. 15 Louisville vs. No. 4 Florida State (-2.5) / 8:00 p.m. ET, ABC
Jeremy: Louisville
Reuse: Louisville
Rowe: Louisville
Palmer: Florida State

For more from the crew at DawgsHQ, be sure to sign up TODAY to stay up to date on all the important things as National Signing Day is less than a month away. Also, if you don’t want to miss a thing, follow us on social and check us out on YouTube!