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Alabama's season at a crossroads
Perhaps not quite the clash of titans many anticipated entering the season following Alabama’s loss to Ole Miss, the trip to Athens is an elimination game for the Crimson Tide. Lose and their SEC title hopes likely become nothing but a dream.
On the other side if Georgia remains undefeated, its championship aspirations are intact, but it will need to win this game to earn a marquee victory for its playoff resume.
The last time the two met, the Bulldogs came up short with a furious rally in the 2012 SEC Championship Game when a tipped pass was caught by in the field of play and time ran out on the comeback. Mark Richt faced a good deal of scrutiny for not spiking the ball and instead calling a play with no timeouts on the fateful play.
Richt was asked Sunday about using that game as motivation for his players, to which he replied: "No, we won't look at it for that reason."
Expect Nick Saban to play up the underdog role with his team this week, as he played up the task at hand for Alabama during his Monday press conference.
“They are a very, very good team,” Saban said. “It’s going to be challenging to go on the road and play a team like this but our team is excited about the challenge we have.
“Nick Chubb is very strong, physical, fast, explosive and has power, he’s a complete back. (Chubb) is by far the best back we’ve played against all year long and don’t discount (Sony Michel) either.”
The numbers suggest this will be a great game, as both teams rank in the top four of the SEC’s scoring, rushing and total defense, while also ranking in the top five of the SEC’s scoring, rushing and total offense.
Barring a shift from the opening line, Alabama will enter a game as an underdog for the first time since 2009, a streak that dates 72 games. The Bulldogs opened as a two-point favorite.
The Disappointment Bowl
It’s hard to determine which team has been the biggest disappointment, Arkansas or Tennessee. While Arkansas has lost three of its first four games, the Vols have given away two of their first four in excruciating fashion.
Can either team put together a complete game or will Saturday’s contest in Neyland Stadium be the survival of the weakest?
Both Bret Bielema and Butch Jones really need a win to calm the natives, while a loss could result in a nightmare season for either school. Arkansas must still travel to Alabama, LSU and Ole Miss, while Tennessee plays Georgia and at Alabama the next two weeks.
“(Arkansas’) basically is in the same situation as we are,” Jones said Monday. “They've had some gut-wrenching losses where they could've won the football game, and it's a play here, it's a play there.”
During their introductory press conferences, both coaches made similar statements on recovering after the slow starts.
Jones: “Football rewards those individuals who persevere the only thing I can say is keep working we have a fourth quarter period in practice we'll continue to make it a point of emphasis.”
Bielema: “I know the stats, I know the numbers. Once the players see someone step up and make a play, it changes things.”
Both coaches have been making bold claims and statements since arriving in the SEC, but the numbers speak for themselves: Jones has a 1-17 record against ranked teams at Tennessee; Bielema’s record isn’t much better, as he’s 2-13 against ranked teams at Arkansas.
Of note this week:
Mississippi State @ Texas A&M – The Bulldogs ended A&M’s undefeated season and killed the hype of Kenny Trill by beating the Aggies by 17 in 2014. Can Dan Mullen and Dak Prescott do it again?
Quick Hits: Teams up 13 points or more in the fourth quarter are 188-3 this season, Tennessee has suffered two of those losses…. Chubb will be attempting to set a school record with his 13th consecutive 100-yard rushing performance.... Bret Bielema has yet to win a SEC road game at Arkansas
