Final thoughts
OK, so just count all those comments at the beginning of this live blog as simply foreshadowing to set up Georgia’s act of monumental revenge. For Georgia, it’s difficult to imagine a more satisfying way of going about winning it all than beating Alabama on the biggest possible stage.
For its first three quarters, it wasn’t much of a game. Yet things turned after Bennett’s called-fumble. That felt like the turning point of the game at the time and it was, just it wasn’t for Alabama (to their misfortune). It felt like a collapse was imminent but—unlike in past meetings with the Crimson Tide—the Bulldogs stayed firm.
That will do it for live coverage here at the Guardian. Thanks so much to everybody who followed along with us, especially those of you who contributed along the way. Ciao!
Updated
And our Defensive Player of the Game is Lewis Cine, who did his part in keeping Alabama out of the end zone for most of the game.
Stetson Bennett is, quite obviously, called Offensive Player of the Game. “I wasn’t going to be the reason that we lost this game,” he says. Quite the opposite, it turns out.
Coach Kirby Smart accepts the trophy which he smooches. “I didn’t get a full taste,” he says, making it weird.
The stage is being prepared for the trophy presentation here now.
“This is the night for the Georgia Bulldogs, after a long, long wait.”
The Braves won the World Series and Georgia won the thing that used to be the BCS so I guess Atlanta isn’t really America’s sports losertown anymore, even though UGA is far from Atlanta. Is it Cleveland again now? Honestly it’s kinda NY.
— Patrick Whittle (@pxwhittle) January 11, 2022
Things have been so hectic that I’ve entirely memory-holed that entire World Series, but that is right isn’t it?
Confetti covers Lucas Oil Stadium and, per custom here at the Guardian, we’ll stick around for the trophy presentation before putting an end to the college football season.
A tearful Bennett is interviewed on the field. “As soon as he caught it, I just teared up,” he says about the game-sealed pick-six, which he apparently didn’t even watch to completion.
Bryce Young and Stetson Bennett embrace on the field, a touching display of competitive respect from the two quarterbacks.
Georgia 33-18 Alabama, FINAL
Well that utterly pointless last minute took like ten minutes’ worth of actual time, but we’re finally there! The Georgia Bulldogs have won their first national championship since 1980 and, in doing so, get revenge on their arch-rivals!
Georgia 33-18 Alabama, :46
Alabama still has 54 seconds to play with here but they are essentially mathematically eliminated. Forgive me for focusing on the hugs on the sidelines among the Georgia players.
Pick-six! (Georgia)
Georgia 33-18 Alabama, :54, 4th quarter
On 1st & 10, Young throws incomplete. On 2nd & 10, Young throws incomplete. On 3rd & 10, Young lets it fly one more time…
And it’s picked off! It’s picked off! Kelee Ringo returns it for a 79-yard run that will seal this game! The Bulldogs kick the extra point, because the rules require they do so, but all that we’re talking about now is the ending point-differential.
Georgia 26-18 Alabama, 1:28, 4th quarter
On 1st & 10, Robinson picks up a single yard. On 2nd & 9, Young finds Latu for another first down. They are not going to go away quietly here.
Georgia 26-18 Alabama, 2:30, 4th quarter
Young finds Holden for a four-yard game. 2nd & 6. Young finds Brooks for an additional yard. Georgia could basically end this with a stop here, but instead Young finds Robinson Jr who runs for 12 yards and a first down.
Georgia 26-18 Alabama, 3:33, 4th quarter
Bryce Young is out and he’s going to need to pull out some magic here, but Alabama can tie things up with a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion here. They will start at their own 25 after a touchback.
Touchdown (Georgia)
Georgia 26-18 Alabama, 3:33, 4th quarter
On 2nd & 3, Cook nearly picks up the first down. He’s just short but it doesn’t matter, because Stetson passes to a ridiculously open Bowers who takes it into the end zone with ease. There’s a flag on the play, but it’s defensive pass interference so who cares? Georgia’s extra point is good.
Georgia 19-18 Alabama, 4:05, 4th quarter
On 1st & 10, a teammate-aided White picks up seven yards while being utterly swarmed and Georgia takes a timeout.
Georgia 19-18 Alabama, 4:51, 4th quarter
On 1st & 10, Bennett decides to throw for the first time this possession and he draws a key defensive pass interference call that gives them 15 yards and puts them at the Alabama 25.
Georgia 19-18 Alabama, 5:13, 4th quarter
White alone gets the next two carries, which equal to a first down that takes them to the Alabama 39. They are getting into field goal territory here.
Georgia 19-18 Alabama, 6:29, 4th quarter
The Boston Red Sox fan in me doesn’t like seeing 1918 up here on the scoreboard right now, so somebody better score quickly I don’t care who. Georgia is looking for a nice long drive, however. Cook and White combine for a first down that takes them nearly midfield.
Georgia 19-18 Alabama, 7:17, 4th quarter
Kearis Jackson makes a fair catch of the Alabama punt at the Georgia 38. Not terrible field position for the Bulldogs who can really put the Tide in a bind here.
Georgia 19-18 Alabama, 7:17, 4th quarter
After a touchback, Robinson is taken for a two-yard loss. Next play, Young throws incomplete. 3rd & 12. Young’s pass bounces off of Slade Bolden’s hands and that’s an immediate three-and-out by Georgia’s defense. Wow.
Well, it took us three whole quarters, but this turned out to be a pretty good game here. Now let’s see if Alabama can keep the pace going.
Touchdown (Georgia)
Georgia 19-18 Alabama, 8:09, 4th quarter
Another first down for Georgia with Bennett finds McIntosh for a ten-yard game. Unfortunately, he loses eight of those after a Dallas Turner sack
2nd & 8, Bennett, sensing a possible penalty-assisted free play, heaves it to the end zone where it’s caught by Adonai Mitchell for a touchdown. Their two-point conversion, however, is similarly unsuccessful.
Georgia 13-18 Alabama, 10:14, 4th quarter
Great start from Georgia. On first down, Bennett finds Burton who picks up 18 yards and takes them to their own 43. Then, a defensive pass interference call gifts them an additional 15 yards and first down. They’re already at the Alabama 42.
Georgia 13-18 Alabama, 10:14, 4th quarter
We’ll see if Alabama’s decision to forgo the extra point in favor of the two-point conversion ends up hurting them. Georgia, meanwhile, have to be frustrated after that close call went against them. We’ll see if they are able to put it behind them.
After a touchback, they start at their own 25.
Touchdown! (Alabama)
Georgia 13-18 Alabama, 10:14, 4th quarter
Alabama has a 1st & goal situation at the Georgia 6. Robinson Jr. picks up three yards but Young’s second down pass to Latu is broken up. On 3rd & 2, Young finds Latu in the end zone and Alabama pulls ahead on their first touchdown of the game.
Alabama decides to go for two here and it burns them, Bennett breaks free with a run but is taken down before he can convert. Still, huge shift here.
Georgia 13-12 Alabama, 10:59, 4th quarter
Robinson Jr. runs to the Georgia 12. Young takes a shot at the end zone on second down but it’s caught out of bounds. The good news, however, was that there’s a foul on the play. That’s brutal roughing-the-passer call on Georgia and now Alabama will have a fresh set of downs.
Georgia 13-12 Alabama, 11:35, 4th quarter
Oh we’re looking at a close-up of the Alabama receiver’s foot was just barely in-bounds, so this might be what they called it on the field: a fumble recovered by Alabama.
Oh wow, yes, the officials say the fumble stands as well as the recovery via Brian Branch. Alabama is back in the red zone, at the 15-yard line, and has a second chance at a touchdown.
Georgia 13-12 Alabama, 11:35, 4th quarter
White picks up five yards on first down but then McConkey is tackled for a three-yard loss. On 3rd down, Bennett gets chased and throws the ball while being grabbed. It really looks like it’s out of bounds but it’s called a fumble on the field. The play is under review.
Georgia 13-12 Alabama, 12:59, 4th quarter
It feels like this Georgia possession could be the game, but I feel like I’ve said that about four different times in this liveblog, so who knows? Reichard’s kickoff is another touchback, so the Bulldogs will be at their own 25.
Georgia 13-12 Alabama, 12:59, 4th quarter
Young finds Hall for a massive 28-yard gain and it looks like Alabama’s determined to answer Georgia here. On their own 5, Young’s throw to Hall is complete. 2nd & goal: Robinson Jr. gets them to the three-yard line.
Crucial 3rd & goal here… and a harassed Young throws it to the end zone to nobody in particular. Has the Georgia defense forced yet another field goal attempt? Yes as Saban doesn’t want to go for it this early. Instead, another Alabama field goal makes this a one-point game. Not ideal for Georgia, but it beats the alternative.
Updated
Georgia 13-9 Alabama, 14:36, 4th quarter
It’s always nice to start a quarter with a fresh set of downs. It’s aesthetically pleasing not to return from the break at a 2nd & 7 or 3rd and long or whatever. Alabama likes it too. Young immediately finds Bolden for a seven-yard gain and, on second down, he finds Robinson Jr. for a first down AND a Georgia penalty brings them to their opponents’ 33.
Georgia 13-9 Alabama, end of the 3rd quarter
Robinson Jr. runs for an additional yard. 3rd & 3, Young finds Holden for a ten-yard gain that gives them a first down, puts them at their own 42 and takes us to the end of the third quarter.
Georgia 13-9 Alabama, 1:13, 3rd quarter
Alabama starts at their own 25 after a touchback and Holden picks up six yards on first down. Can the Crimson Tide respond?
Touchdown! (Georgia)
Georgia 13-9 Alabama, 3:02, 3rd quarter
That was a 67-yard run from Cook. On 1st 10, Bennett says he’ll take care of the ball himself, running for four yards. On 2nd & 6, a facemask call on the defense makes it 1st & goal at the Alabama 2. White runs in it and Georgia is in front! And the extra point is good!
Updated
Georgia 6-9 Alabama, 3:02, 3rd quarter
Okay, I’m calling this a momentum shift. Cook goes off on first down for Georgia who takes it from the Georgia 20 all the way to the Alabama 13! It looked like he was about to give us the game’s first touchdown right then and there.
For the record, Georgia’s Jalen Carter is given credit for that huge block.
17 plays, 7:45 off the clock. No points.
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) January 11, 2022
Grinder.
Blocked field goal!
Georgia 6-9 Alabama, 3:23, 3rd quarter
This time around Georgia’s defense forces Robinson into a single-yard loss. The next pass, Young throws just a little too low for Brooks to scoop. 3rd & 11. Young throws and almost finds Hall for what would have been a massive play.
Okay, maybe I jinxed the Alabama offense. They have to settle for a field goal… and don’t even get that! The Bulldogs block it! Holy heck!
Georgia 6-9 Alabama, 4:32, 3rd quarter
Robinson Jr. fights for his life to squeeze out three additional yards. He then finishes the job by picking up a new first down on the next play.
Georgia 6-9 Alabama, 5:33, 3rd quarter
You’ll never guess who gets the ball for the next carry and picks up six yards on first down. That’s Brian Robinson Jr.?
Alabama’s offense looks better this half. The commentators are crediting their offensive line and I’ll take their word for it.
Georgia 6-9 Alabama, 6:01, 3rd quarter
1st & 10. Young finds Holden for two yards then Robinson Jr. yet again for six. On 3rd and 2, a surprisingly open Robinson Jr. is able to make it to a first down before being tackled. He’s turning into the go-to guy this second half.
Georgia 6-9 Alabama, 7:26, 3rd quarter
Alabama calls Robinson Jr.’s number once again and he picks up eight yards. On 2nd & 2, Young completes a pass to Traeshon Holden for three yards and a new first down.
Young finds Holden and then Brooks to get to a 3rd & 3 situation. Young finds Trey Sanders who looks like he’s going to be short until he falls down for a first.
Georgia 6-9 Alabama, 10:22, 3rd quarter
Robinson Jr. picks up a yard! They’re at their 3-yard line.
He does better on the next play, breaking through the Georgia defense and hitting the 19-yard line before finally being halted.
Georgia 6-9 Alabama, 11:03, 3rd quarter
Camarda’s punt is downed at the Alabama 4. This might end up being a rare football game actually decided by the players’ feet.
Georgia 6-9 Alabama, 11:12, 3rd quarter
On 1st & 10, a back-to-work Bennet throws incomplete to Bowers. That will make it 2nd & 10. This time Bennett finds McIntosh who picks up a very difficult three yards. On 3rd & 7, Bennett throws incomplete and never mind that thing I said about that interception being a huge shift in this game because it’s all for naught.
Punting time again.
Georgia 6-9 Alabama, 12:05, 3rd quarter
Robinson Jr. picks up three yards. Oh, there’s a big play but it’s the wrong kind for Alabama! Young attempts to throw a bomb and it lands right in the hands of Georgia’s Christopher Smith at the Alabama 43. Huge, huge shift here.
Georgia 6-9 Alabama, 12:46, 3rd quarter
Bolden makes a fair catch of Camarda’s punt at the Alabama 7. That’s a lot of ground to make up on a day where big passing plays have been hard to come by.
Georgia 6-9 Alabama, 12:46, 3rd quarter
An intentional grounding call on Bennett crushes the Georgia drive before it even gets a chance to begin. Cook picks up 11 yards to reduce a 2nd & 19 to a 3rd & 8 but Bennett’s pass is incomplete.
We’re going punting again!
Georgia 6-9 Alabama, 14:33, 3rd quarter
Georgia is starting at their own 25, where White picks up 11 yards on first down and then 18 yards on the next first down.
Start of the second half
Georgia 6-9 Alabama, 15:00, 3rd quarter
And our second half starts with… a touchback. Par for the course.
The science teacher roommate has peaced-out, not entirely unreasonably given that first half, so it’s just you and me for this second half, which should be kicking off shortly.
Nevermind this is actually kind of a banger. I am a Swiftie and feel no pleasure in saying this.
We are now being subjected to the world premiere of a Katy Perry video for reasons that will forever remain a mystery to me.
@HunterFelt between yesterday and tonight - finding it hard to justify the "college football is more exciting than NFL" argument right now tbh!
— Rory Murphy (@Rory_Tealeaf) January 11, 2022
Last night was the first time as a US sports fan that I ever rooted for a tie in my life and you know what? It changed my life. Maybe it’s time I started to look into the other kind of football as well.
Halftime thoughts
Well, the game really turned on the Jameson Williams injury. He will be out for the entire game, which anyone watching pretty much could have been guessed the second the injury occurred in real time.
The other news has been the combination of offensive struggles/defensive excellence that has led this to be a showcase to the two kicking teams. One imagines that this will change in the second half, but who could have predicted that the first half would have been this free from fireworks?
Halftime!
And we have a 6-9 game where there hasn’t been a single touchdown. Just what one expected from the best two teams in college football, right?
Updated
Georgia 6-9 Alabama, end of the first half.
Great punt there from Alabama, which is a weird thing to type. White picks up 4 yards as the clock continues to tick. White picks up another yard and it looks like Georgia is playing this conservatively. Alabama calls a timeout with 22 seconds left in the half.
When play resumes, it’s a 3rd & 5 situation. White manages to pick up a first down but there’s not much time left here to do anything and everybody just waits around until the end of the first half.
Given the score, that feels like an appropriate way to end the first two quarters of play.
Georgia 6-9 Alabama, 1:40, 2nd quarter
It’s a 3rd and 5 situation and it feels like a crucial one here as halftime looms. Young uncorks a rather great throw that Bolden nearly completes for a catch. Game of inches. Here comes the punt team again. Jackson makes a fair catch at the Georgia 10.
Georgia 6-9 Alabama, 1:45, 2nd quarter
Young throws to Agiye Hall who makes the catch and then smartly eludes the defense for a 24 yard gain that takes Alabama to the Georgia 43.
Given a fresh set of downs, Robinson Jr. picks up two yards. 2nd & 8. Young throws incomplete. Just like that, we get another third-down situation and… our first timeout of the game. This one’s courtesy of Georgia.
Georgia 6-9 Alabama, 2:39, 2nd quarter
After a touchback, Alabama starts at their own 25. Brian Robinson Jr. gets the ball first and he picks up three yards. 2nd & 7. Young throws incomplete. 3rd & 7. On the next play, an offsides penalty on Georgia turns it into a more manageable 3rd & 2 situation.
Georgia 6-9 Alabama, 3:09, 2nd quarter
Dallas Turner sacks Bennett for a four-yard loss. Just like that, 1st and 10 has become 2nd & 14.
Make that 3rd and 14 after Bennett’s next throw lands incomplete. Bennett finds Kearis Jackson for an eight-yard gain that at least gives Georgia a chance for (you’ll never believe this) a field goal attempt. Podlesny’s 49-yarder looks like it’s going to curve away but it manages to hit the uprights to cut the Alabama lead to three.
Georgia 3-9 Alabama, 5:11, 2nd quarter
Bennett throws incomplete to Adonai Mitchell on 1st & 10. 2nd & 10, Bennett finds Bowers, who drags several defensive players with him, until he can get six yards. 3rd & 4, Bennett finds Mitchell who picks up 11 yards. Georgia’s at the Alabama 34.
Georgia 3-9 Alabama, 6:23, 2nd quarter
Georgia has to feel good about its defense limiting Alabama to field goals, but it won’t matter if they can’t score themselves. Reichard’s kickoff isn’t great, it goes for 56 yards. They will start at their own 35. James Cook gets the first touch on this drive, picking up four yards.
On the next down, Bennett connects with McIntosh for ten yards which means, obviously, a first down. Solid start, this.
Updated
Field goal! (Alabama)
Georgia 3-9 Alabama, 7:07, 2nd quarter
Robinson Jr gets it to the Georgia 6. Alabama is threatening for the game’s first touchdown… except Young throws incomplete and then gets sacked for a massive loss. 13 yards! Georgia holds Alabama to yet another field goal attempt. Reichard’s 37-yarder is good and Alabama at least pad their lead.
Georgia 3-6 Alabama, 8:49, 2nd quarter
Slade Bolden catches, fumbles and returns the resulting punt. Alabama start at their own 26. Young finds Ja’Corey Brooks for a five-yard gain. On the next play, Young finds Cameron Latu who just goes off and very nearly takes it all the way to the end zone before being brought down at the Georgia 8.
Georgia 3-6 Alabama, 10:36, 2nd quarter
After a false start penalty, Bennett throws incomplete to Pickens in a 1st & 15 situation. Bennett throws complete to the wonderfully named Ladd McConkey for a three-yard gain. Bennett finds Cook, who gets 3 yards on 3rd down. Georgia, however, needed 12. Punt time, again.
Georgia 3-6 Alabama, 11:12, 2nd quarter
A penalty takes back yards on what would otherwise have been a huge return from Georgia, a 30-yard run from McIntosh. They will instead start at their own 20.
It’s been a weird one:
6-3 Alabama, early in the second quarter
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) January 11, 2022
you come to the home of the Big Ten championship, you kick field goals. i don't make the rules.
Georgia 3-6 Alabama, 11:46, 2nd quarter
It’s hard to concentrate on the game after seeing something like that. Young finds Bolden for nine yards. Young throws incomplete on the next play. 3rd & 1.
Nope, false start on Alabama and that’s a five-yard penalty. 3rd & 6. Young finds Bolden, but not for enough yards to get that first down. So, it’s time for another field goal. Reichard’s 45-yard attempt is good and Alabama takes the lead.
Please please do not show that injury replay again, ESPN.
They do, but at least it’s not a close-up.
Georgia 3-3 Alabama, 12:28, 2nd quarter
Camarda’s kickoff puts them at their own 25. Jameson Williams makes a huge first down catch on the 35 but immediately goes down on his own with a leg injury before being brought down. My science teacher roommate caught it on replay and her diagnosis is not great. Injury time-out, obviously.
Georgia 3-3 Alabama, 12:35, 2nd quarter
On 1st and goal, Cook gets pushed back a yard. On 2nd & goal, Bennett throws incomplete. 3rd & goal, Bennett runs for himself… and only picks up four yards. Nope, we will not be getting a touchdown here.
Jack Podlesny’s 24-yard field goal is good and we’re tied at 3-3. Just like we all imagined we would be at this point in the game.
Georgia 0-3 Alabama, 14:14, 2nd quarter
On 2nd & 14, Bennett finds Bowers for an additional five yards. Huge 3rd & 9 situation here for both teams. Bennett finds Jermaine Burton for eight yards and we’re in a first-and-goal situation. May we actually have a touchdown in the first half here?
Georgia 0-3 Alabama, end of the first quarter
Well, that’s not super-great. Georgia gets a false start penalty to push them back to the 24-yard line. For the last play of the first quarter, White picks up a single yard. One quarter down, Alabama has a slim lead but the Bulldogs are seriously threatening.
Georgia 0-3 Alabama, 1:06, 1st quarter
FINALLY a big play. Bennett goes way downfield to find George Pickens all the way at the Alabama 29. That’s a 59-yard play. Bennett might be feeling it now, as he sees Brock Bowers for a third straight first down, a ten-yard completion that takes them to the Alabama 19.
Georgia 0-3 Alabama, 2:29, 1st quarter
Burnip’s punt is rather effective, pinning Georgia to its own eight-yard line. Zamir White gets four yards. That’s good. And then Georgia gets penalized for a facemask that pushes them back to their own four.
On 1st & 14, White runs for six yards. 2nd & 8, Bennett finds Darnell Washington for nine yards, and hey that’s good for Georgia’s first down of the entire game.
Georgia 0-3 Alabama, 3:33, 1st quarter
Trey Sanders runs for four yards. So we have another 3rd down situation and… Young throws another one incomplete, meant for Jahleel Billingsley. I can’t believe we’re seeing the punt team yet again.
Georgia 0-3 Alabama, 4:02, 1st quarter
Alabama has its best field position of the game so far as they will start on their on their own 45. On first down, Young seems a bit confounded and throws it away.
Georgia 0-3 Alabama, 4:18, 1st quarter
Bennett hands it off on first down. James Cook gets a single yard. 2nd & 9. Kenny McIntosh gets the ball next and he almost immediately gets tackled. 3rd & 9. Georgia doesn’t want another three-and-out here, but that’s what they get here. Bennett runs for a bit, throws under duress and watches as the ball hits the ground. We’re getting yet another punt here.
And there’s a flag on the punt… fair catch interference on Georgia that gives Alabama an additional 15 yards.
Updated
Georgia 0-3 Alabama, 5:46, 1st quarter
Kearis Jackson makes a fair catch of James Burnip’s punt and Georgia’s second chance will start at their own 25 on the other side of another slate of commercials.
Georgia 0-3 Alabama, 6:28, 1st quarter
Young finds Bolden on second down for a six-yard gain but on 3rd & 3, Bolden gets tackled for a loss and there’s a three-and-out for Alabama. Here comes the punting team.
Georgia 0-3 Alabama, 7:49, 1st quarter
Young finds Williamson but for nada. On 2nd & 10, however, Williams gets himself open for a 14-yard catch and a first down.
Georgia 0-3 Alabama, 8:19, 1st quarter
Bennett runs on the next play and just flat out drops the ball. Somehow nobody on Alabama’s defense manages to pick it up. There’s another delay of game penalty, this is on Georgia. Bennett’s next pass is incomplete and that will do it for Georgia’s first possession of the game. Jake Camarda comes in to punt, which is caught by Bolden at the Alabama 20.
Georgia 0-3 Alabama, 9:09, 1st quarter
Reichard’s kickoff hits the end zone for a touchback. Georgia start at their own 25 and… Alabama’s Christian Harris immediately sacks Georgia’s Stetson Bennett for a huge 14-yard loss. However, a delay-of-game penalty on the defense gives them an additional five yards.
Still second down, however.
Frank A. James offers some much-appreciated encouragement via email here:
Play almost by play is good. Thank you. UGA ‘61
So far, an “almost play” was the most exciting one.
Field goal (Alabama)
Georgia 0-3 Alabama, 9:55, 1st quarter
On 1st & 10, Young’s throw is incomplete. Odd not to go to a running back there. Young throws again here, to Ja’Corey Brooks, which is good for five yards. However, the Alabama drive ends there at the Georgia 19 yard line. Decent job to hold Alabama to a field goal. Will Reichard’s 37-yard attempt is good and, hey, being up three is better than being down by at least six so that counts as a successful opening drive for them all things considered.
Georgia 0-0 Alabama, 11:06, 1st quarter
Young finds Bolden for another big gain, this one’s almost good for yet another first down. Trey Sanders runs to just pick it up.
Georgia 0-0 Alabama, 11:37, 1st quarter
Young throws incomplete to Cameron Latu on first down and targets him again in second down, a completion good for nine yards. They just need a single yard so Young hands it to Robinson Jr who gets two. Alabama’s at the Georgia 25.
Georgia 0-0 Alabama, 13:18, 1st quarter
Big break for Alabama. On 2nd & 10, Young hands it off to Jameson Williams for 11 more yards and a first down.
Georgia 0-0 Alabama, 13:23, 1st quarter
Alabama QB Bryce Young connects with Slade Bolden for a 11 yard gain and a first down. On the next play, Young gets taken to the ground and it looks like Georgia recovers and takes it for a touchdown but the officials are going to double-check whether it was an incomplete pass or not.
They rule... and it’s just an incomplete pass so there’s no touchdown and it’s just second down.
Opening kickoff
Georgia 0-0 Alabama, 14:34, 1st quarter
Alabama starts at their own 25 after the opening kick. Brian Robinson Jr. gets the ball for the first two carries which takes them to their 33.
Coin toss
Georgia calls tails. It’s tails. Georgia gets to decide, they decide to defer and get the ball to start the second half.
As a Patriots fan, I must say that this is the right choice.
National anthem
Gospel singer Natalie Grant gives a country-tinged version of the Star-Spangled Banner that is way, way, way too showboat-y for my personal tastes. 4/10.
Updated
Space Force flag sighting at the presentation of the flags!
OK, we’re getting close to when opening kick is scheduled (the game is being broadcast on ESPN, for those wondering). In fact, we’re at the opening montage time here. We get a... marching band version of Men Without Hats’ “Safety Dance” here from what I can tell.
That song does *not* mention the Crimson Tide to my knowledge.
Updated
When we mention the changed playoff system, the NCAA adopted the four-game system just back in 2014. Already, however, there’s some talk about expanding the field to include 12 teams, but the sides are far apart in coming to an agreement. Given the way of all sports, it’s probably all but inevitable.
Predictions
Okay, the preamble probably tipped my hand just a tad bit. I believe that Alabama win this one but (because we have to make this interesting) Georgia will manage to at least temporarily take a lead relatively late in the game. My random stab at a final score: Alabama 30-27 Georgia.
That’s just this take from someone who has admittingly been paying far more attention to the NFL than the college game over the last few months. I more than welcome your predictions, which you can email to hunter.felt.freelance@theguardian.com or tweet to @HunterFelt.
If you are a fan of an SEC school not named Georgia or Alabama and you are choosing a rooting interest other than a flaming meteor tonight, you are doing it wrong.
— Bunkie Perkins (@BunkiePerkins) January 10, 2022
These two teams are, um, not exactly fan favorites but then again, the schools that tend to make it to the championship game rarely are.
The inevitable Steely Dan connection
Have you ever wondered how exactly Steely Dan’s “Deacon Blues” came to mention the Alabama football team? Well, Mel Magazine’s Tim Grierson is here to tell you exactly how Donald Fagen and Walter Becker snuck in the “they call Alabama the Crimson Tide” line in one of their more despairing songs and how it then became an unlikely marching band staple in Alabama.
Preamble
Hello, welcome to the 2022 College Football Playoff national championship game between third-ranked Georgia and top-ranked Alabama. Longtime NCAA football fans will not be surprised that these are the final two teams standing. The two teams have a long-standing rivalry, although a mostly one-sided one. The last time Georgia beat Alabama was back in 2007 which was much longer ago than your brain probably thinks it was.
So, Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide should be considered favorites here. Heck, as The Ringer’s Rodger Sherman points out, the Bulldogs’ Alabama envy even caused them to go out of their way to pluck from the Saban coaching tree, with Georgia head coach Kirby Smart being Saban’s former defensive coordinator. It’s tricky to shake the feeling that Georgia is stuck perennially playing catchup to modern college football’s juggernaut.
Alabama already beat Georgia in the SEC championship game, a 41-24 shellacking of the highest order. The naysayers can point this out as a point towards Alabama, but the Bulldogs rallied back from that with a 34-11 win in the Orange Bowl and should be extra motivated. Meanwhile, the Crimson Tide indeed did roll over Cincinnati, 27-6.
Georgia isn’t just playing for its first championship in over 40 years, they last won it all back in 1980, they are playing to get an extremely massive monkey off its back. Alabama, meanwhile, is here to prove that they’re still the most dominant team in the nation and win the first back-to-back championships in the current playoff era.
If you’d like to participate in this live blog, feel free to send us your commentary. You can do so either via email (to hunter.felt.freelance@theguardian.com) or on Twitter (to @HunterFelt). Our game is scheduled to start at 8:00 pm EST, but we’ll be back with additional commentary before then heading up to opening kickoff. It’s the 2022 College Football Championship between Georgia and Alabama at Lucas Oil Stadium!
Hunter will be here shortly. Here’s a look back at how Georgia and Alabama made it through to tonight’s championship game.
