When the clock ticks down to 0:00 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, history may not be on Alabama’s side. The Crimson Tide will travel to Atlanta to take on Georgia in the SEC title game.
It’s the 71st meeting between the two programs, and Alabama has won the last six meetings, but this one has bigger implications than in years’ past. A loss will drop Alabama to 11-2 and potentially on the outside looking in of the College Football Playoff for the second time in three years.
In the history of the College Football Playoff, no two-loss team has ever made it, which doesn’t bode well for Alabama should the Crimson Tide lose handily. However, there’s supposedly a first time for everything. And there’s a sentiment, at least among some in the college football world, that if Alabama plays Georgia close, it could be enough to get a two-loss team into the playoff for the first time.
Against this Georgia team, though, that’s easier said than done. Kirby Smart’s unit is playing some of the best defense ever in college football. The Bulldogs rank first in the nation in red zone defense (allowing scores on just 54.5 percent of opponent red zone trips), scoring defense (6.92 opponent points per game) and total defense (230.8 yards allowed per game).
Where Georgia excels defensively, Nick Saban’s unit excels offensively. The Tide are second in the nation on third down, converting on 53.9 percent of third down attempts. Similarly, they’re fifth in the country in scoring offense (42.7 points per game) and seventh in the country in total offense (492.2 yards per game).
The Bulldogs are looking for their first SEC title and playoff berth since 2017, when Kirby Smart’s squad lost to Alabama 26-23 in overtime in the national championship game.
Sporting News has all the information you need to catch the 2021 SEC title game.
What channel is Alabama vs. Georgia on today?
- TV channel: CBS
- Live stream: CBS Sports App, fuboTV
The SEC Championship meeting between Alabama and Georgia will be broadcast nationally on CBS. Brad Nessler and Gary Danielson will call the game from the booth while Jamie Erdahl will report from the sidelines. You can also stream the game live on Paramount+ or with fuboTV, which offers a free seven-day trial.
Alabama vs. Georgia start time
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 4
- Kickoff: 4 p.m. ET
The 2021 SEC title game between Alabama vs. Georgia will kick off at 4 p.m. ET from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
