Georgia vs. Alabama: Gameday Central
ATLANTA, Ga. — The Bulldogs are back in the big city, but this time, the game just means more. No. 1 Georgia takes on No. 8 Alabama in the 2023 SEC Championship Game not only with the conference crown on the line but also a spot in the College Football Playoffs up for grabs.
“Yeah, we wrapped up the regular season last night in Atlanta against Georgia Tech. Incredible atmosphere there at night. Very passionate rivalry game. That’s what college football is all about. I think everybody across the country or at least the southeast ends on that rivalry week. Usually a lot of emotions spent in those kind of games. That’s the tough thing about our conference and college football: you got to bounce right back and get ready to go play in a championship game,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said to open the week. “It’s an opportunity that was earned by our team and this program. I know our players are certainly excited for the opportunity. I tell them all the time it’s one of the best venues, best atmospheres in all of sports. I’ve been very fortunate to be a part of it a lot of times. I know our guys are excited about the opportunity. We’ll have their full attention preparing for Alabama this week.”
It’s just the second time that both title game participants enter undefeated in conference play. In 2009, Alabama and Florida met in Atlanta with Kirby Smart as the Crimson Tide defensive coordinator in a battle between the country’s two top ranked teams. Alabama emerged victorious and went on to win the National Championship that season, Smart’s first as either an assistant or head coach.
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Since then, things have changed of course. Smart is now on the opposite sideline of the Crimson Tide, looking to give his alma mater Georgia its first ever win over Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. The two programs have met previously in 2012, 2018 and 2021. All three went in favor of the Crimson Tide, as did a 2018 National Championship Game meeting also in Atlanta. However, the last time that Georgia and Alabama met, things went the way of the Bulldogs, giving Georgia its first National Championship in over four decades with a 33-18 victory over the Crimson Tide in Indianapolis.
Kickoff time for today’s game is set for 4:00 p.m. ET on CBS. DawgsHQ will have you covered with live updates from Mercedes-Benz Stadium. However, before we get to the stadium, here’s the pregame reads you should be sure to check out.
DawgsHQ Staff Predictions: Conference Championships (Georgia-Alabama, others)
Emptying the Notebook: Discussing Georgia injuries ahead of SEC Championship
Georgia vs. Alabama: Keys to a Bulldog victory
Georgia Football injury report and it’s impact against Alabama
What we learned this week as Georgia prepares for Alabama
Who has the edge? Diving into Bulldogs and Crimson Tide for conference title
Palmer’s Players to Watch: Georgia vs. Alabama
Major Matchups: Georgia vs. Alabama for the SEC Championship Game
Georgia’s young linebackers to be counted on again vs. Alabama
Kirby Smart, Nick Saban similarities easy to identify ahead of sixth matchup
Georgia Opponent Preview: Alabama Q&A
ROWE: Why the newest chapter of Georgia-Alabama is different from previous
Bulldogs preparing for “Lamar-like” QB in Alabama’s Jalen Milroe
Georgia has Alabama monkey off its back but will not rely on last meeting for confidence
Front Rowe: Reading into Kirby Smart’s comments at Georgia-Alabama media day
