Why Alabama Can Beat Georgia Saturday Night
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Georgia might have the experience advantage Saturday night, but Alabama has something that can completely change this game: Keelon Russell.
If Alabama wants to beat Georgia, the game plan should start with one thing — put the ball in Russell’s hands and let him make plays.
Russell has quickly become one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in college football. He enters the Georgia game completing 71.2% of his passes for 1,414 yards, 11 touchdowns and only two interceptions while adding 184 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Last week against Mississippi State, he threw for 285 yards and three touchdowns in a 56-23 win.
Georgia is going to make Alabama earn everything offensively. The Bulldogs want to stop the run, create obvious passing situations and force Russell to beat them.
Alabama should embrace that challenge.
Russell’s ability to extend plays might be the biggest X-factor in the entire game. Kirby Smart himself praised Russell’s arm strength, pocket awareness, accuracy and ability to scramble while keeping his eyes downfield. Alabama doesn’t need to force the running game if Georgia is selling out to stop it. Spread the Bulldogs out, attack vertically and let Russell create.
Defensively, Alabama needs to be aggressive.
Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton has been extremely efficient, but Alabama cannot allow him to sit comfortably in the pocket and work through the offense. Bring pressure, challenge Georgia’s protection and force Stockton to make quick decisions.
That’s where Alabama’s veteran secondary becomes so important.
The Crimson Tide entered the season with one of the highest-rated secondaries in the country, and Kirby Smart described the group this week as talented, physical and filled with “ball hawks.” If Alabama trusts those defensive backs in coverage, it gives the front seven freedom to attack Stockton.
That is the formula.
Let Keelon Russell be Keelon Russell. Bring pressure on Stockton. Trust the secondary to hold up.
Georgia might be the more experienced team, but Alabama has the quarterback capable of completely taking over this game and a defense talented enough to make Stockton uncomfortable.
If Russell starts creating explosive plays and Alabama’s pressure forces Georgia out of its comfort zone, the Crimson Tide can absolutely protect Bryant-Denny Stadium and knock off the Bulldogs.
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