Georgia Sits Alone Atop SEC Standings as Alabama Visits Knoxville

Former Alabama coach Nick Saban went on ESPN’s College GameDay in Tuscaloosa and picked his old team to handle Georgia. “They (Georgia) have dominated every team that they’ve played,” Saban said before kickoff. “They haven’t played anybody, but they will play somebody tonight, and the Tide will dominate.”

Instead, Georgia walked out of Bryant-Denny Stadium with a thrilling 20-17 upset, positioning themselves as the SEC’s sole remaining unbeaten team by the time Oklahoma wrapped up its victory over Texas in Dallas. The statement victory also propelled the Bulldogs to No. 1 in the AP poll, leaving Alabama to regroup before heading to Knoxville, a tough venue where Tennessee has taken the last two matchups.

Georgia Beat Alabama by Making Every Yard Difficult

Georgia beat Alabama by doing the one thing the Tide expected to do better, and it ended a long drought in the process. The win was Georgia’s first in Tuscaloosa since 2007 and Kirby Smart’s first regular-season victory against Alabama as Bulldogs coach. The rushing attack supplied the answer when the game tightened.

Georgia ran 39 times and threw 22 passes, with running back Dwight Phillips Jr. gaining 120 yards on 17 carries. Fellow back Bo Walker added 69 on 10 attempts. Smart explained the approach after the game. “I just want them to feel us,” he said. “I just want ‘em to feel us, I want to pound the ball.”

Alabama still had its moments. Running back Trae’Shawn Brown broke a 58-yard run, and quarterback Keelon Russell found tight end Marshall Pritchett for a 22-yard touchdown. EJ Crowell’s short rushing score gave the Tide a 14-10 halftime lead, but Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton answered with a 14-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter. Kicker Peyton Woodring eventually supplied the winning field goal.

The Tide’s final real opening brought a furious argument about officiating. Georgia safety KJ Bolden contacted receiver Rico Scott in the end zone with 3:28 left, and no pass-interference flag followed. On the next snap, Bolden and defensive lineman Valdin Sone sacked Russell outside field-goal range. Alabama punted and never touched the ball again. Russell finished 16 of 30 for 185 passing yards.

Oklahoma Left Georgia Alone in the SEC Standings

Texas had every chance to keep pace with Georgia. The top-ranked Longhorns led the Red River game 17-7 at halftime, and Oklahoma could hardly move the ball early. Then freshman running back Lloyd Avant scored on a short run to tie the game, while safety Peyton Bowen returned one of Arch Manning’s interceptions 42 yards for a touchdown.

Manning had helped Texas pull off the 24-23 comeback against Ohio State earlier this season, and he kept the Longhorns in this one with three touchdown passes. Yet the two interceptions changed the finish. His second came with 19 seconds left, and Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer completed two quick throws before Kicker Tate Sandell won it 27-24 from 47 yards as time expired.

Georgia now sits 4-0 in conference play. Alabama and Kentucky trail at 3-1, while Tennessee and Missouri are among the 2-1 teams. Overall records alone hide that separation in the SEC standings. One loss has not ended anybody’s title hopes, though Alabama can no longer afford many more afternoons like the second half against Georgia.

Alabama Now Has to Find a Way Out of Neyland

The Tide visit No. 14 Tennessee on Oct. 17 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC, and Neyland has not been especially friendly in recent years. Tennessee won the last two games played there, including the 52-49 shootout in 2022. Alabama won last season’s meeting 37-20 in Tuscaloosa, a reminder that this rivalry has a way of turning sharply with the venue.

Tennessee brings its own concerns. Starting quarterback Faizon Brandon injured his shoulder against Texas, and George MacIntyre made his first career start against Arkansas. MacIntyre completed 18 of 29 passes for 247 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Running back DeSean Bishop carried the Vols out of trouble, breaking a 59-yard run before scoring the go-ahead touchdown with 1:57 left in a 24-17 win.

There will be another familiar sight with an unfamiliar twist. Both teams will wear their home jerseys at Neyland for the first time since 1970, with Alabama in crimson and Tennessee in orange. The last meeting there in those colors ended 24-0 to the Vols, coached by former Alabama player Bill Battle.