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The 8th-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide came into the SEC Championship needing a win to keep their College Football Playoffs alive. Their path to a win would not be easy, having to come up against #1 ranked Georgia, who is in a battle of their own defending both their SEC title and national title. Georgia also had not lost in 29 games, one of the longest streaks in modern FBS history. A great game in the making was in store and a great game we got. Let's break it down.
Game Summary
The game would begin with a Georgia score off a Kendall Milton 17-yard run to go up 7-0. Alabama would answer with a field goal after a punt exchange to cap off the first quarter's scoring. In the second quarter, however, Alabama would dominate, scoring 14 unanswered making it 17-7 going into halftime. Georgia would have a shot at scoring with 4:37 left in the quarter but would doink the 50-yard field goal attempt off the right upright. Alabama would make them pay by scoring another touchdown to end the half. The 3rd quarter would open up with a made Georgia field goal to pull within 7, and the Bulldogs would force an Alabama punt to put themselves into position to tie this game. However, quarterback Carson Beck would get sacked and fumble the football, immediately bringing the momentum back into the Tide's favor. Alabama would capitalize off the turnover with 3 points making it 20-10. The 4th quarter was sure to bring a photo finish. The Bulldogs would open the quarter by scoring a touchdown off a Carson Beck 1-yard run, making it 20-17. If Alabama had not answered with a touchdown of their own, this could have easily gone back in the Bulldogs' favor. Jalen Milroe however, would make sure that the Tide kept the momentum on their side. He would lead a consistent, long-lasting drive that would all but ice the game, capped off by a 1 yard run by Roydell Williams. The Bulldogs would score another touchdown to at least make it a close 27-24 game, but Alabama would run out the clock on the back of Jalen Milroe's and Roydell Williams's legs. Bama comes away with the SEC title, and potentially, a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Turning Point of the GAme
Many points in this game could have been pointed to as "the turning point", from the missed field goal to the Alabama drive late in the fourth quarter, however, a controversial catch toward the end of the first half would make the difference in this one and allow Alabama to score the touchdown to go up 10. With about 1:18 to go in the 2nd, Jalen Milroe would throw a ball on 4th and 4 to his top receiver Isaiah Bond. Bond would have to reach for the ball, causing him to leave his feet and lunge forward to try and make the catch. Bond got his hands on the ball and brought the ball into his chest, proceeding to roll into a somersault. The ball seemed to jostle around, and it even looked like it had grazed the ground as Bond was completing his somersault, however, it was ruled a catch. This would give Alabama great field position where they would capitalize and score their 14th unanswered, going up 10. This catch is still being hotly debated on social media, nonetheless, it kept the drive going after it looked like Alabama would go 4 and out. A huge conversion that kept momentum in Alabama's favor for basically the rest of the game.
Georgia Player of the Game: Carson Beck
It was a tough call between quarterback Carson Beck and running back Kendall Milton, however, Beck produced the most yards for the Bulldogs and scored a touchdown that, although brief, brought some momentum the Bulldogs' way in the second half. Beck threw 21/29 for 243 yards, as well as scored a touchdown with his legs. Beck has been good all year, and although today was certainly not his best day, he put the Bulldogs in the best position possible throughout the game to gain momentum back and win it. He's had a great season after getting counted out as just another game manager for the Bulldogs and was a key reason why they maintained their #1 status throughout the season.
Alabama Player of the Game: Jalen Milroe
Jalen Milroe once again was a huge playmaker for the Crimson Tide. After winning the game versus Auburn last weekend, Milroe would follow up that performance with a 13/23 performance for 192 yards and 2 touchdowns, along with 14 carries for 29 yards. His breakaway run of 30 yards to open up the final drive and truly ice the ball game solidified his status of player of the game. He has developed into another great Alabama quarterback under Nick Saban's tutelage, and as only a sophomore, his work is not done.
Conclusion: SEC Championship
Both of these programs will have to wait until 12:15 pm EST to see where they will end up regarding the College Football Playoff. Georgia's first loss may be the straw that breaks the camel's back with their contention, and there's no guarantee that Alabama gets in either. It will be up to what happens in the ACC and Big Ten title games. Either way, the SEC championship lived up to the hype and provided a nice sendoff to SEC games on CBS. The SEC will now be featured on ABC/ESPN networks, while CBS takes on the Big Ten.
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