Nick Saban’s retirement was expected to create an opening for Georgia. With Saban no longer in charge, many thought Kirby Smart, considered the second-best coach in the nation, would now become the top. Saban’s Alabama teams had consistently been Georgia’s main obstacle, including blocking the Bulldogs from a playoff spot last season. With Saban now watching from the skybox instead of coaching on the sidelines, things were expected to change.
However, despite Alabama’s new coach, Kalen DeBoer, the result was the same for Georgia. Just like Saban, DeBoer delivered another crushing defeat. Alabama controlled most of the game, briefly surrendered the lead with under three minutes left, but quickly regained it just 13 seconds later. Jalen Milroe’s 75-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Williams sealed Alabama’s 41-34 victory, ending Georgia’s 42-game regular-season win streak and preventing their attempt at a massive comeback in this matchup of top-five teams.
Georgia fell behind 28-0 within 17 minutes and trailed 30-7 at halftime. They took their first lead on Carson Beck’s 67-yard touchdown pass to Dillon Bell, but it wasn’t enough. Following Williams’ decisive score, Georgia reached Alabama’s 20-yard line with less than a minute remaining, but Beck’s end zone pass was intercepted by Zabien Brown.
“I could say, ‘If this had happened, we would’ve won,’ but it doesn’t really matter,” Beck said. “What happened, happened, and we have to move on.”
The Bulldogs faced another bitter defeat against Alabama, making Smart 1-6 in head-to-head matchups. In four of those losses, Georgia blew double-digit halftime leads. This time, their comeback effort fell short.
Smart reflected, “Has anyone done better than 1-6? I don’t think so. Alabama has great players and a strong program. They did a fantastic job. Nick recruited well, and Kalen has kept it going. It’s always a tough battle.”
The game started in a lopsided fashion, with Georgia appearing unprepared for Alabama’s attack on Saban Field. Alabama remains the only team to beat Georgia since 2021, and last year’s SEC Championship loss kept Georgia out of the College Football Playoff. Fortunately for the Bulldogs, this loss may not have the same consequences, as the playoff field has expanded to 12 teams. Georgia is almost guaranteed a spot with one loss, and likely even with two.
“We play to win every game, but with the new playoff format, we’re definitely not out of it,” Beck said. “We’ll learn from our mistakes and keep pushing forward.”
Alabama quickly jumped out to a 14-0 lead within 11 minutes, with six of their 14 plays going for more than 15 yards. Then, Alabama’s Domani Jackson intercepted Beck inside Georgia’s 30-yard line, leading to a 7-yard touchdown run by Germie Bernard.
Smart’s defense, which has struggled against Alabama in the past, looked particularly vulnerable. Alabama was threatening to surpass LSU’s 2019 SEC Championship game performance, where the Tigers scored 37 points against Georgia.
“We weren’t prepared, and that’s on me,” Smart admitted.
Alabama’s receivers found themselves consistently wide open, and missed tackles allowed them to gain more yards. When Georgia managed to cover Milroe’s targets, he took off running, gaining over 15 yards on three first-half carries. One of Milroe’s most deflating runs came on a fourth-and-1 in the second quarter. Georgia, trailing 21-0, needed a stop, but Milroe sprinted 36 yards for a touchdown, eluding the defense.
“They’ve got a quarterback back there who might be the best running back in the country, and he can throw, too,” Smart said.
Alabama extended their lead to 28-0 before Georgia began to fight back. Beck struggled in the first half with two interceptions, one of which Smart said wasn’t Beck’s fault. Everywhere Beck looked, Alabama’s defense was making plays. But everything changed in the second half. Beck threw for 339 yards and two touchdowns after the break, including a 67-yard bomb to Bell in the fourth quarter that gave Georgia a temporary lead.
“No one thought we’d come back and take the lead, but we did,” Bell said.
However, Alabama quickly responded with Williams’ game-winning touchdown. Georgia had no more answers.
“Going down 28-0 isn’t ideal,” Beck said, “but we fought back, and I’m proud of our guys.”
Despite their resilience, Georgia endured yet another painful loss to Alabama. Though Saban has stepped down, Alabama still reigns supreme over the Bulldogs.
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