ATHENS, Ga. — The last time No. 5 Georgia and No. 17 Alabama faced off in Athens, the Bulldogs were the better-ranked team but the Crimson Tide controlled the game from the beginning and easily won 38-10 in what proved to be the final season for Mark Richt.
A lot has changed in the decade since Alabama was inside Sanford Stadium with two new coaches now patrolling the sidelines, but the stakes are predictably high.
Alabama already has one loss this season — one that looks worse now after Florida State’s loss to Virginia — and a second would make for the first time since 2007 that the Crimson Tide had two losses in September. In a season with playoff-or-bust expectations, a loss in Athens would leave Alabama no wiggle room with LSU, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Auburn all still on the schedule.
Georgia is in the better position headed into the game but still hasn’t put together the type of performance one expects from the Bulldogs. Georgia was lucky to escape Knoxville with a win and has some offensive line concerns that impact its running game and Gunner Stockton’s ability to throw downfield. The defense, long one of the nation’s best under Kirby Smart, only ranks in the top 25 in one major defensive category (rush defense) and gave up 371 passing yards and four touchdowns to Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar two weeks ago.
Kalen DeBoer could really use this win, while you know Smart is sick of seeing that 1-6 record against Alabama. A year ago, these two teams competed in one of the games of the season. Let’s hope this one can deliver again.
Keep it locked here as CBS Sports provides you with live updates, highlights and analysis as Alabama battles Georgia in a marquee Week 5 showdown.
