Roll Tide! Alabama thumps Georgia
After losing two weeks ago to the Ole Miss Rebels at home, the Alabama Crimson Tide were left for dead by many. There flaws were suddenly many, with quarterback Jake Coker at the head of the problems. Despite scoring 37 points in that loss, Alabama was sluggish for most of the game, something almost unfathomable with Nick Saban as the head coach.
After beating the overmatched Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns last Saturday, Alabama was challenged with going between the hedges to face the No. 8 Georgia Bulldogs. Georgia was rolling along into this contest, already having beaten Vanderbilt and South Carolina in conference play, en route to a 4-0 record.
On Saturday, the Crimson Tide showed the country which SEC team would be the real contender moving forward.
Alabama absolutely hammered the Bulldogs, winning 38-10 in a game that was not even that close. The Crimson Tide rushed for 189 yards and two touchdowns, with Derrick Henry leading the way by carrying 26 times for 148 yards in a driving rain storm.
Georgia’s quarterbacks were completely overwhelmed. Head coach Mark Richt was forced to yank Greyson Lambert out of the lineup at the end of the first half after he went 10-of-24 for 86 yards and an interception. His replacement, Brice Ramsey, was appalling. Ramsey threw an interception on the first offensive play of the second half on his way to a 1-of-6 day for 20 yards and two interceptions.
The only player on Georgia that showed a pulse was Heisman Trophy-candidate Nick Chubb, who churned out 146 yards and a touchdown on 20 rushing attempts.
For the Crimson Tide, the win was a statement to never doubt the best program of the last decade. Alabama was an underdog going into Georgia, but played like a team that had no doubt of the upcoming outcome. It was a demolition in all three phases of the game, leaving no doubt to the best team on the field.
With No. 10 Utah on a BYE week, the No. 6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish losing to Clemson, and the No. 7 UCLA Bruins falling, look for Alabama to easily climb back into the top 10. Over the next five weeks, the Crimson Tide will have ample opportunity to play themselves back into the college playoff.
Alabama faces the Arkansas Razorbacks next before visiting the No. 14 Texas A&M Aggies. After hosting the Tennessee Volunteers, the Crimson Tide enjoys a BYE before welcoming in the No. 9 LSU Tigers. Finally, the stretch concludes with a trip to the No. 21 Mississippi State Bulldogs.
The Crimson Tide have no room for error, but if Saturday was any indication, they won’t need it. Alabama served notice to the rest of the SEC that rumors if its demise were greatly exaggerated, which is nothing short of terrifying for the upcoming opponents.
