Alabama vs. Georgia score: Tide win SEC title, end Dawgs' streak with eye on College Football Playoff berth

The College Football Playoff has been thrown into chaos with the Crimson Tide taking down the Bulldogs

ATLANTA -- No. 8 Alabama upset No. 1 Georgia in the SEC Championship Game on Saturday, picking up a 27-24 win and throwing the College Football Playoff picture into chaos one day before the four-team field will be announced. The Crimson Tide (12-1, 9-0 SEC) won the day defensively as the previously explosive Bulldogs (12-1, 8-1 SEC) matched their lowest point total of the season.

Alabama coach Nick Saban improved to 3-0 over Georgia coach Kirby Smart in the SEC title game with nine straight wins with the conference championship on the line. The Tide also improved to 5-0 against No. 1 teams in the CFP Rankings.

With the loss, the Dawgs saw their 29-game winning streak -- tied for the third-longest in FBS history since 1973 -- come to an end, and their chances at a third straight national championship likely fell by the wayside, too.

Alabama's offense did its part with a nine-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to surge ahead 27-17 with 5:47 remaining. Quarterback Jalen Milroe started 0 for 4 passing but settled in and finished with two passing touchdowns against a Georgia defense that saw few such dynamic QBs during the regular season.

Two-time reigning champion Georgia looked destined to continue its unbeaten march early with an opening TD drive but failed to score on its next five possessions as Alabama asserted itself defensively. The Tide's defensive improvement coincided with the offense scoring on three straight possessions to close the first half.

• Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Bond led both teams with five receptions for 79 yards, four of which came on a crucial scoring drive for the Tide in the second half.
• The SEC West improved to 13-2 in SEC Championship Games over the last 15 seasons. This was the final year of the SEC's divisional format.
• Georgia had won four straight contests during its 29-game streak when trailing by at least 10+ points.
• The Dawgs' 78 yards rushing were their fewest since 2020 (at Cincinnati).
• Georgia is 1-2 against Alabama and 40-0 against every other team it has faced since 2021.
  

Read on below for takeaways as Alabama defeats Georgia for the 2023 SEC championship. 

[Dec 2, 2023 at 8:28 pm ET · Jerry Palm]

Alabama states College Football Playoff case ... but needs help

Alabama ended Georgia's 29-game winning streak and won the SEC championship, which means the Bulldogs will need a miracle to get back into the College Football Playoff and attempt to win a historic third straight title.

The loss puts Texas into the CFP as the fourth seed with Alabama right behind at No. 5 in the CFP Rankings. A loss by No. 2 Michigan or No. 4 Florida State on Saturday night would move the Crimson Tide into the fourth spot.

The CFP Selection Committee has respected Texas' win at Alabama all season, and nothing that happened Saturday figures to change that.

The SEC has sent one team to every College Football Playoff since its inception; however, no team has made the playoff when placed No. 7 or lower in the penultimate CFP Rankings.

[Dec 2, 2023 at 7:56 pm ET · David Cobb]

Georgia transfers make a difference

A pair of Georgia transfers played major roles in helping Alabama at critical moments. Crimson Tide linebacker Trezmen Marshall recovered a Georgia fumble to set up an Alabama field goal late in the third quarter. In his first season at Bama after transferring in from UGA, the redshirt senior entered with 50 tackles on the season after making just 30 over four years with the Bulldogs. He made five stops Saturday, including one for loss, in addition to the fumble recovery.

In his second season at Alabama after two seasons as a member of Georgia's wide receiver group, Jermaine Burton made a key touchdown grab. The senior scored on a 15-yard connection from Milroe with 48 seconds remaining in the first half to put the Crimson Tide ahead 17-7. Burton has now scored touchdowns against both teams over his four-year career.

[Dec 2, 2023 at 7:36 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Carson Beck couldn't stretch the field

Georgia's offense -- specifically, its pass-catchers -- had major issues coming into the game. Wide receivers Ladd McConkey and RaRa Thomas were questionable, and tight end Brock Bowers was nowhere near 100%. McConkey and Bowers played, but both struggled to get open and Beck's options were limited as a result. 

The first-year starter completed 72% of his passes but only had 185 yards passing and averaged just 8.4 yards per attempt heading into the final frame. The lack of success in the rushing attack certainly didn't help, but every window seemed incredibly tight for Beck. Tide defenders were draped all over Bulldogs throughout the game to a point where passes that normally were "50-50" balls, were more like "70-30" prayers. To make matters worse, he was constantly on the move due to Bama's unrelenting pressure.

This wasn't Beck's fault, nor was it his worst game. This was a game where a confluence of very unfortunate circumstances played into the defenses hands way too much. 

[Dec 2, 2023 at 7:36 pm ET · David Cobb]

Nick Saban's defining decision

In claiming his 10th SEC title with the Tide, coach Nick Saban made a defining decision of the game late in the second quarter with his team leading 10-7. Facing a fourth-and-4 from the Georgia 37-yard line with 1:25 until halftime, Saban trusted his offense instead of punting or attempting a long field goal.

After calling a timeout to think it over, Saban allowed quarterback Jalen Milroe to take a downfield shot. He found Isaiah Bond for a 22-yard gain putting the Tide in the red zone. It appeared the football may have hit the ground without Bond holding full control, but the play was not reviewed. Alabama scored two plays later to take a 17-7 lead into halftime. 

Going for it marked a bold and game-defining decision by Saban. If Alabama had failed to convert, the half could have ended with a Georgia score as the Bulldogs would have taken over in favorable field position and enough time to stage a drive. UGA fans may rightly point to the controversial catch call as an injustice, but in the history books it will go down as a bold call that paid off for Saban.

[Dec 2, 2023 at 7:35 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Alabama defense set tone for 'middle eight'

The quarterback always gets the publicity, but the Crimson Tide defense played their best game of the season when it mattered most. The Georgia offensive line struggled to keep Alabama at bay, and the Tide notched seven tackles for loss, sacked quarterback Carson Beck twice and held the touted Bulldogs rushing attack to just 2.5 yards per carry. Running back Kendall Milton topped the 100-yard mark in two of his last three games, but the veteran managed just 42 yards.

A sequence late in the second quarter might go down as one of the most important sequences of the college football season. Georgia had the ball at the Alabama 19-yard line down 10-7, but linebacker Deonte Lawson made two tremendous open-field tackles on Milton to make it third-and-12. Dallas Turner came off the edge and sacked Beck on the next play, relegating Georgia to fourth-and-17 from the 26-yard line.

A 45-yard field goal is in freshman kicker Peyton Woodring's range, but a false start penalty pushed Georgia back another five yards. Woodring's 50-yard attempt clanged off the goal post with Alabama taking over in good field position and punching it in for six with under a minute left to make it a double-digit lead at the break. 

The "middle eight" of the game -- the last 4 minutes of the first half and first 4 minutes of the second half -- often tell the tale. Alabama's defense set the tone for the "middle eight," and the offense took it from there.

[Dec 2, 2023 at 7:26 pm ET · David Cobb]

Final: Alabama 27, Georgia 24

Alabama asserted its physicality and will on Georgia while bleeding the clock on the game's final possession. The Bulldogs had two timeouts and enough time to get the football back for a game-tying field goal, but a Jalen Milroe scramble for 30 yards and another first down on a Milroe keeper allowed the Crimson Tide to run out the clock and clinch the victory.

[Dec 2, 2023 at 7:18 pm ET · David Cobb]

Georgia gets right back into it, but Alabama still leads

The pressure is suddenly on Alabama to move the football and pick up a couple of first downs after Georgia drew within 27-24 with 2:52 remaining. The key play on that series was a 20-yard completion to Brock Bowers. The Crimson Tide did well defensively to drag that possession out for 10 plays and nearly three minutes, burning more time than Georgia would have preferred. Kirby Smart even had to burn a timeout, which he could not afford given the circumstances.

[Dec 2, 2023 at 7:05 pm ET · David Cobb]

Alabama wastes no time, goes back up double digits 

Jalen Milroe found Isaiah Bond for a 12-yard gain on third-and-2 to set up a first-and-goal. Alabama struck from there on a 1-yard touchdown run by Roydell Williams to make it 27-17.

The Crimson Tide could have been tempted to try and bleed some clock on that possession, but with just a 3-point lead and plenty of time left, they stayed aggressive -- and it paid off. It's not over yet, but Georgia's back is now against the wall.

Milroe found Bond four times on that drive, including a third-down conversion on a broken play that resulted in a Patrick Mahomes-esque improvised shovel pass.

[Dec 2, 2023 at 6:55 pm ET · David Cobb]

Big special teams play leads to Georgia TD

Georgia put Anthony Evans on the punt return team in a different look that also featured Mekhi Mews in a punt returner slot. It worked out well with Evans making a huge 31-yard return to put the Bulldogs in good field position.

Four plays later, Georgia cut its deficit to 20-17 after a 1-yard Carson Beck touchdown run. Just like that, we've got a nail-biter ahead with 10:16 remaining.

A pass interference call on Terrion Arnold helped key that drive alive for Georgia as the Crimson Tide faced a third-and-2. From there, a connection between Beck and Ladd McConkey positioned UGA for the TD. McConkey has not looked 100% but is toughing it out.

[Dec 2, 2023 at 6:44 pm ET · David Cobb]

Kool-Aid McKinstry to the locker room

Alabama star cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry was spotted going to the locker room due to an apparent injury. If he's unable to return, that would be a tough loss for the Crimson Tide secondary as it looks to keep a deep roster of UGA weapons at bay in the fourth quarter. McKinstry is one of the nation's top corners, and Georgia has no shortage of receivers it can throw at you.

[Dec 2, 2023 at 6:39 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

End 3rd: Alabama holds 10-point lead

Alabama kicker Will Reichard hit a 28-yard field goal late in the quarter to extend the Crimson Tide lead to 20-10 as we head to the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Georgia quarterback Carson Beck was credited with a fumble on a bobbled pitch during an attempted end around, which Alabama's Trezman Marshall (a Georgia transfer) scooped up at the 11-yard line. The Bulldogs defense buckled down, though, forcing the three-and-out in what could have been a total disaster for the two-time reigning national champions.

Third-down conversions have been a big story here. The Tide have converted just 2 of 10 chances but have moved the chains on both fourth-down opportunities. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, are 4 of 9 on third down. 

Alabama QB Jalen Milroe hasn't been a superstar as he is 8 of 18 for 123 yards, but touchdown passes to Jermaine Burton (also a Georgia transfer) and Jam Miller have been the difference through the first 45 minutes. Beck is 17 of 22 for 185 yards.

[Dec 2, 2023 at 6:35 pm ET · David Cobb]

Alabama increases lead after fumble recovery

Trezmen Marshall recovered a Georgia fumble for Alabama near the Bulldogs end zone. That set up an Alabama field goal as Jalen Milroe struggled to move the offense past the goal line. The Crimson Tide now lead 20-10 late in the third quarter.

Marshall is in his first season at Bama after transferring in from UGA. The redshirt senior linebacker made just 30 tackles over his four years with the Dawgs but has been a key member of the middle for the Tide defense. He had 50 stops entering this game and now also has a fumble recovery on his ledger against his old team.

[Dec 2, 2023 at 6:25 pm ET · David Cobb]

Just enough on the ground

Alabama is getting what it needs on the ground to keep Georgia honest defensively, even as the Crimson Tide navigate this game without leading rusher Jase McClellan, who is injured. UGA's run defense just isn't quite as elite as it has been the past two seasons, and it's allowing Alabama to move the football without having to rely exclusively on Jalen Milroe's playmaking.

[Dec 2, 2023 at 6:19 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Georgia makes it a one-score game

Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck hit a wide-open Arian Smith for a 51-yard gain on the first play of the drive to get into the red zone, but the Alabama defense buckled down from there and forced coach Kirby Smart to settle for a 34-yard field goal to make it 17-10 four plays later. Georgia's offense appeared to get to the line of scrimmage quickly after Smith's catch in an attempt to use tempo, but officials stopped play to review it. There was nothing to suggest that the catch was in doubt, and Bulldogs fans here were upset with the disruption. Nevertheless, we have a ballgame now.

[Dec 2, 2023 at 6:02 pm ET · David Cobb]

Ladd McConkey playing again

After limping off the field on Georgia's final possession of the first half, Ladd McConkey is back on the field to begin the second. He's been hobbled throughout the season but has proven to been one of the program's most reliable pass catchers in recent seasons. His chemistry with Stetson Bennett was impeccable, and he's been a favorite of Carson Beck as well, when healthy. Like Bowers, McConkey also did not play last week against Georgia Tech.

[Dec 2, 2023 at 5:55 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Good karma for Alabama?

Teams that are winning at halftime of the SEC Championship Game are 26-5 all time, winning 10 out of the last 11. The only exception was in 2018 when Georgia led Alabama 21-14 at the break but lost 35-28. There have only been two comebacks from 13+ points down in SEC title game history (1997, 2018).

[Dec 2, 2023 at 5:42 pm ET · David Cobb]

Getting back on script

Georgia's first touchdown drive covered eight plays and 83 yards as the Bulldogs followed their opening script to perfection. Perhaps the halftime break gave offensive coordinator Mike Bobo the time to scheme up another play sequence. The Bulldogs get the football trailing 17-7 after a pair of three-and-outs, a missed field goal and halftime marking their final possessions of the half.

[Dec 2, 2023 at 5:32 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Half: Alabama extends lead to 17-7 after late TD

The Crimson Tide offense is on fire as Jalen Milroe hit former Georgia wide receiver Jermaine Burton in middle of the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown to make it a double-digit game with 48 seconds left until halftime. That came two plays after Milroe hit Isaiah Bond for a beautiful 22-yard gain under pressure on fourth-and-4 to set the Tide up in the red zone. Alabama has scored 17 straight points and taken all of the momentum into the locker room. 

After a slow start, Milroe is 6 of 12 through the air with 110 yards and two touchdowns. Georgia quarterback Carson Beck is an efficient 9 of 12 for 91 yards. 

[Dec 2, 2023 at 5:28 pm ET · David Cobb]

Nick Saban gambles on Isaiah Bond, again

What a call from Nick Saban to go for it on fourth-and-4 from the Georgia 37-yard line with just over a minute left in the first half. Saban called a timeout following an attempt to draw the Bulldogs offside and see what sort of defense Georgia lined up in. It seemed like he might attempt a long field goal or punt out of the timeout. Instead, he let Jalen Milroe throw -- and Milroe did just that, connecting with Isaiah Bond for a 22-yard gain putting the Crimson Tide in the red zone. In other words, the gamble paid off in a big-time way.

Bond has become a fourth-down machine for the Tide. He made the game-winning touchdown catch on fourth-and-goal from the 31-yard line in last week's win over Auburn, and here he came up big just one week later. 

[Dec 2, 2023 at 5:13 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Georgia's drive stalls, Dawgs miss field goal

Alabama maintains a 10-7 lead after Peyton Woodring's 50-yard field goal attempt clanged off the upright and fell haplessly on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium turf. It would have been good from 45 yards, which is important because a false start on the previous attempt moved the Bulldogs back before the attempt. Alabama's defense is rounding into form. Deontae Lawson made back-to-back open-field tackles to push Georgia into a third-and-12, and star linebacker Dallas Turner sacked Carson Beck for a 5-yard loss to force the field goal attempt. 

[Dec 2, 2023 at 5:06 pm ET · David Cobb]

Georgia is used to rallying

Trailing 10-7 isn't ideal for Georgia as the Crimson Tide have found their footing and have the momentum. However, this is familiar territory for the Bulldogs, who have often started slow or trailed early before turning on the jets. South Carolina led UGA 14-3 in the first half on Sept. 16, and Auburn led the Bulldogs 10-0 in the first half on Sept. 30. Even Vanderbilt had an early lead on Georgia on Oct. 14. Georgia also trailed early against Florida, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Missouri and Georgia Tech. The Bulldogs won every game.

[Dec 2, 2023 at 5:01 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Wheel route puts Alabama on top 10-7

Alabama's slow start is a thing of the past as the Crimson Tide rolled down the field on a 10-play, 92-yard touchdown drive that ended with a 17-yard scoring pass from Jalen Milroe to Jam Miller on a wheel route where Miller found himself wide open. The drive was aided by a 15-yard facemask penalty that moved the Tide all of the way up to the 30-yard line after an 18-yard catch and run by Kobe Prentice. It was the first time all afternoon that Milroe appeared to be in a groove. 

[Dec 2, 2023 at 4:53 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

End 1st: Georgia leads Alabama 7-3

The Bulldogs offense came out hot, going 83 yards on just eight plays and finding the end zone on a 17-yard score by Kendall Milton. That was sandwiched between their defense forcing Alabama to three-and-out on its first two offensive possessions. However, a shanked punt set Bama up on a short field. The rushing attack got cranked up and got the Crimson Tide inside the red zone, but Jalen Milroe's third-and-9 pass from the 25-yard line fell just out of the corner of the end zone, and Will Reichard connected on a field goal to make it a 7-3 game.

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck has connected on five of his first seven passes for 54 yards in a strong start. Conversely, Milroe is just 1 of 6 for 9 yards. 

[Dec 2, 2023 at 4:47 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Amarius Mims out ... for now

Jenny Dell reports that Georgia offensive lineman Amarius Mims is out and questionable to return with a right ankle injury. Mims suffered a left ankle surgery in the middle of the season but returned over the final few games to anchor a Georgia offensive line that has become one of the best units in the country. 

[Dec 2, 2023 at 4:43 pm ET · David Cobb]

Jam Miller gets his chance

Jam Miller entered this game with 64 career carries across two seasons at Alabama, but the former top-100 prospect is clearly a part of the Crimson Tide's game plan this afternoon amid the absence of Jase McClellan. Miller has toted the rock for gains of 4 and 8 yards. But as Barrett noted below, he was also stopped for a loss of 6 on a key play during the Crimson Tide's last possession as Alabama settled for a field goal.

[Dec 2, 2023 at 4:40 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Alabama dents scoreboard, makes history

Georgia gave Alabama good field position after a poor punt set the Crimson Tide up near midfield. A stout rushing attack led by Jam Miller got the Tide into the red zone, but a 6-yard loss by Miller on second-and-3 and an incomplete pass by Jalen Milroe forced Bama to settle for a 43-yard field goal from Will Reichard to cut Georgia's advantage to 7-3.

It was the first time all day that the Tide offense looked functional, so it's likely that offensive coordinator will give Miller more work on the next possession until Georgia proves that it can stop him.

The kick made Reichard college football's all-time points leader. He surpassed former Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds (530 points).

[Dec 2, 2023 at 4:34 pm ET · David Cobb]

Jalen Milroe's slow start

You can argue that Jalen Milroe is the best quarterback Georgia has faced this season -- Brady Cook of Missouri and Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss -- would be the only real challengers. But he's off to an ice-cold start. As the Crimson Tide take over in great field position, can he get going? What does Alabama offensive coordinator Tommy Rees have in the bag to help Milroe find a rhythm?

[Dec 2, 2023 at 4:22 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Georgia strikes first, leads 7-0

Georgia's first offensive drive was a thing of beauty. Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo got Carson Beck in the flow early with perimeter passes to Brock Bowers and Dominic Lovett, cranked up the tempo to prevent Alabama from substituting, and then pounded the rock as running back Kendall Milton capped off the eight-play, 83-yard drive with a 17-yard touchdown. One thing to note is that, midway through the drive, Bulldogs wide receiver Ladd McConkey entered the game and caught a 15-yarder to get in the red zone. His status has been up in the air. The script worked. Let's see what changes Alabama defensive coordinator Kevin Steele makes the next time his unit hits the field.

[Dec 2, 2023 at 4:22 pm ET · David Cobb]

Don't take Brock Bowers for granted

Georgia tight end Brock Bowers helped spark UGA's first drive with a 23-yard reception on the Bulldogs' first offensive play. Don't take his presence for granted out there. The junior star is basically a lock to be selected early in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and he could have chosen to shut his season down after getting injured against Vanderbilt on Oct. 14. Instead, he underwent a tightrope procedure on his ankle and pushed the envelope on returning. He came back on the front end of the projected injury timeline but did not play against Georgia Tech last week out of apparent precaution. Well, he looked fine out there on Georgia's opening touchdown drive.

[Dec 2, 2023 at 3:46 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Update on injured starters

Alabama running back Jase McClellan and Georgia tight end Brock Bowers were announced as starters inside the stadium. Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey was not.