We’ve just witnessed an all-time classic. Thanks for following along and be sure to check out the full report.
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The Alabama Crimson Tide win the national championship!
First overtime, Alabama ball: Bama 27-23 Georgia
The first play is not a good one as Tagovailoa is sacked for a loss of 16 yards by Jonathan Ledbetter and Davin Bellamy. But on the second play of the series, Tua Tagovailoa finds DeVonta Smith for a 41-yard walk-off touchdown pass! It’s over! Alabama are national champions for a fifth time in nine years.
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First overtime, Georgia ball: Bama 20-23 Georgia
Georgia start on the 25. Chubb with back-to-back runs of three and one yards, but Fromm is sacked by Lewis for a loss of 13 yards. It’s going to be a long field goal! But Blankenship nails from 51 yards and it’s on the Tide.
Another coin toss to see who gets the ball first for overtime. Alabama will call it. Alabama calls tails ... and it’s tails. They’re two for two on tosses today. Alabama elects to go on defense first.
End of regulation: Bama 20-20 Georgia
Bama 20-20 Georgia, 0:00 4th quarter
Alabama take over on their 35. Harris is stuffed for a loss then runs for 11 yards and a first down. Tagovailoa then completes a pass for nine yards and a 15-yard penalty moves it down to the Georgia 31! There’s 1:37 on the clock. Tagovailoa runs for six, Harris runs for one, Tagovailoa runs for four and a first down at the Georgia 20. There’s 56 seconds left. Tagovailoa runs for one, Georgia calls timeout and it’s their last. Now Tagovailoa runs for three down to the Georgia 16 and the clock just ticks. A timeout with six seconds left and now Alabama calls timeout with three seconds left. Pappanastos will have a chance to win the game with a 36-yard field goal. And he misses it! Wide left! Unbelievable! We’re heading to overtime!
*Bama 20-20 Georgia, 2:55 4th quarter
Georgia take over on their own 21 and ... incomplete, completion for seven yards, incomplete. Wow. Three and out at the worst possible time. They’re punting.
Touchdown, Alabama!
Bama 20-20 Georgia*, 3:49 4th quarter
Alabama takes over from their own 34. Tagovailoa finds Harris for a 17-yard catch and a first down across midfield. Now Tagovailoa runs for one yard and throws and incomplete pass on the next play. It’s 3rd-and-9 from the Georgia 48 and Tagovailoa’s pass to Parrish is incomplete ... but the referee calls pass interference! It’s 1st-and-10 for the Tide from the Georgia 33. Oh boy. The Tide are 33 yards from tying this game with just under six minutes left. Now Tagovailoa completes a pass to Jerry Jeudy for 20 yards down to the Georgia 13! Alabama are inside the red zone. Tagovailoa misses on a pass to Ridley then runs for seven yards. It’s 3rd-and-3 from the Georgia 6 and H\arris is thrown for a one-yard loss! Alabama will have to kick. Or will they? They’re going for it! Here it is! And the quarterback doesn’t see the play clock and Alabama are forced to call timeout. The drama! And now ... Tagovailoa drops back, he’s being chased, the defense is closing in, it’s a broken play ... and he throws an absolute dart to Ridley in the middle of the end zone for a touchdown! Oh my goodness! Pappanastos nails the extra point and we’re all tied up with 3:49 to go!
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*Bama 13-20 Georgia, 7:10 4th quarter
Georgia take over from their own 14 and Chubb is immediately stuffed for a one-yard loss, but Hardman sprints through for nine yards on the next play. A massive 3rd-and-2 play forthcoming and Michel can only make it halfway there. It’s 4th-and-1! And Georgia will smartly punt. Cameron Nizialek’s punt travels 51 yards and Diggs returns it eight yards to the Alabama 34, where the Tide will take over and look to drive for the tying score.
Bama 13-20 Georgia*, 9:24 4th quarter
And now Alabama starting from their own 17 race down the field in six quick plays, the biggest a 35-yard scamper by Najee Harris. Then on 3rd-and-8 from the Georgia 12 ... Georgia call a timeout. Tagovailoa then throws to the back of the end zone and it’s nearly intercepted but a review confirms it was incomplete. The field goal team is on the field and Pappanastos curls it through from 30 yards and Alabama are back within one score.
*Bama 10-20 Georgia, 11:39 4th quarter
Georgia starts the fourth quarter on their own 13 and they’re running it right down Alabama’s throat: 10 yards by Michel, five yards by Michel, 13 yards by Michel and they’re down to the 31. Now Chubb runs for seven yards and then a loss of one. It’s 3rd-and-4 from the Georgia 47 ... and Fromm is sacked by Raekwon Davis for a loss of nine! Georgia will punt.
End of third quarter: Bama 10-20 Georgia
Fifteen more minutes for the national title. Can Bama pull off the comeback?
Bama 10-20 Georgia*, 0:08 3rd quarter
Alabama starts from their own 20 and Bo Scarbrough rumbles for 16 yards. Tagovailoa completes for seven yards to Ridley then Scarbrough is stuffed for no gain. It’s 3rd-and-3 from the Alabama 43, and Tagovailoa’s pass to Scarbrough is caught but two yards short of the first down. They’re going to punt and Georgia will take over on their own 10.
*Bama 10-20 Georgia, 1:55 3rd quarter
Georgia take over on their own 40. Chubb runs for five yards then a loss of one, but he comes back to complete a 13-yard strike to, you guessed it, Ridley. They’re now 8-for-14 on third-down conversions. Michel runs for five yards down to the Alabama 38, then Fromm is stuffed for a loss of one and Georgia faces 3rd-and-6. An incomplete pass and Georgia punts down to the Alabama 20, where the Tide will take over.
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Field goal, Alabama!
Bama 10-20 Georgia*, 6:32 3rd quarter
Alabama have 1st-and-10 on the Georgia 40. Tagovailoa runs for nine then Harris runs for six and a first down on the Georgia 25. Back-to-back incomplete passes for Tagovailoa and it’s 3rd-and-10 for Alabama. Tagovailoa is under pressure from the snap and his pass is incomplete. The field goal team comes on and Pappanastos nails a 43-yard field goal. The lead is cut to 10 points.
*Bama 7-20 Georgia, 6:19 3rd quarter
Georgia have it on the Alabama 39 and on the first play Jake Fromm is intercepted by Raekwon Davis who returns it for 19 yards. This game is officially off the rails.
Bama 7-20 Georgia*, 6:32 3rd quarter
Alabama take over on their own 26. Tagovailoa’s first pass in incomplete and his second is thrown into heavy traffic and it’s intercepted! Oh boy! Georgia can put the heel in now.
Touchdown, Alabama!
*Bama 7-20 Georgia, 6:52 3rd quarter
Mecole Hardman returns a kick out of the end zone and it’s not a good move: he’s tackled on the Georgia 7 and the Bulldogs are pinned back deep in their own territory. But Fromm hits Godwin on a slant for 14 yards and a first down to the Georgia 21. How amazing is this? Two freshman quarterbacks going head to head in an SEC barnburner. Now Chubb is thrown for a loss of eight yards, but runs for seven on the next play and it’s 3rd-and-11 from the 20. Fromm drops back and ... he’s found Mecole Hardman down the right sideline and it’s a catch! He breaks a tackle and he’s gone 80 yards for the touchdown! Unbelievable! There’s a flag and it’s a sideline interference penalty, but it’s a dead ball penalty that will be enforced on the kickoff. An 80-yard touchdown to match Alabama’s opening points! It’s under review but this should be good ... and replay confirms it! After the extra point Georgia has restored their 13-point lead! A four-play, 93-yard touchdown drive that lasted exactly two minutes.
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Touchdown, Alabama!
Bama 7-13 Georgia*, 8:52 3rd quarter
Tua Tagovailoa takes over on the Alabama 44. He starts with an incomplete pass and a run for three yards, then runs for nine more to convert on third down. Now Tagovailoa hits Foster for 15 yards and another first down. And he completes again to Ruggs for nine yards down to the Georgia 20. Oh boy, the Tide are rolling now. Another 14-yard completion to Ruggs and Alabama are down to the 6. And Tagovailoa completes to Ruggs once more, this time for a touchdown! The extra point is good and out of nowhere Alabama are back in business!
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*Bama 0-13 Georgia, 10:51 3rd quarter
Georgia take over on their own 36. Chubb is stuffed for a loss of three, then Swift catches a pass in the backfield and is throws for a loss of eight ... and the referees missed an obvious face mask call. It’s 3rd-and-21 from the 25 and Georgia coach Kirby Smart plays it safe, with Swift running for four yards. A cacophony of boos from the partisan Georgia crowd over the missed face mask as the punt team comes onto the field. Cameron Nizialek punts for 41 yards but Trevon Diggs returns for 14 yards to the Alabama 44. Excellent field position for the Tide here. Can they get on the board?
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Bama 0-13 Georgia*, 13:03 3rd quarter
Well, how about this. In a remarkable move Alabama coach Nick Saban has switched quarterbacks, putting in the dual-threat signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa in place of Jalen Hurts. Starting on the Alabama 22, Tagovailoa runs for four yards on first down then completes a pass for two yards. But on 3rd-and-4, Tagovailoa is sacked by Roquan Smith for a loss of four yards! Oh boy! Now the Alabama punt team is on the field ... and the punt is blocked! But Georgia was too quick over the line and it’s a five-yard penalty for offsides. It’s still fourth down and Alabama’s punt team will stay on the field. Now Scott booms one down to the 15, but Mecole Hardman runs it back 19 yards to the Georgia 36.
Start of third quarter
Half-time is over and Georgia is kicking off to start the second half.
Kendrick Lamar’s half-time performance outside the stadium is under way. Meanwhile, the pool report indicates the president has left the stadium and en route to the airport.
Half-time: Alabama 0-13 Georgia
And there it is. Alabama will receive after the half and it’s far from over, but the Tide will have some major work to do particularly on the offensive end.
Touchdown, Georgia!
*Bama 0-13 Georgia, 0:07 2nd quarter
Seventy-nine seconds and three timeouts for the Bulldogs, who start on their own 31. Fromm completes to Ridley (again) for 10 yards down to the Georgia 41, but follows it up with a pair of incomplete passes. But it’s Sony Michel again running for 14 yards across midfield for a Georgia first down! Oh boy. Now a five-yard penalty for Alabama for too many men on the field. Swift runs for seven yards on a pitch, then Michel runs for another 14 and a first down. Timeout, Georgia, with 28 seconds left in the half and they’re thirsty for more points. Georgia’s run 43 plays to 23 for Alabama. Now it’s Fromm with another keeper and he’s gone for 14 yards! Fromm completes for 16 yards to Godwin down to the Alabama 3 and he’s out of bounds to stop the clock. Wow. Chubb runs for one yard down to the Alabama 2 and they use another timeout with 15 seconds left in the half. Fromm’s pass after the timeout is incomplete but a roughing the passer penalty on Alabama will give Georgia an automatic first down. Finally Mecole Hardman sprints to the left pylon and he’s in for the touchdown with seven seconds remaining! Blankenship kicks the extra point and the Bulldogs are ahead 13-0.
Bama 0-6 Georgia*, 1:19 2nd quarter
A truly abysmal offensive peformance so far by the Tide but they’re only down six points and they’ll receive the kick after half-time. If they can put up points here, it would be significant. Alas, they do not. Another three-and-out by the Tide offense is capped by a JK Scott punt down to the Georgia 31, where Mecole Hardman makes the fair catch.
*Bama 0-6 Georgia, 2:14 2nd quarter
Georgia start in the shadow of their own goalposts on the 5. Chubb runs for gains of one and two yards setting up 3rd-and-7, but Fromm comes up big on third down yet again with a 16-yard completion to Riley Ridley. Sound familiar? It’s 1st-and-10 from the 24 and Fromm throws an incomplete pass followed by a four-yard run by Michel. Another third down for Georgia and this time Fromm’s throw is off the mark and the Bulldogs will punt. Cameron Nizialek’s punt goes 40 yards and Alabama’s Trevon Diggs returns it three yards, but a holding penalty on Alabama will push the Tide back. Alabama will take over on their own 25.
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Bama 0-6 Georgia*, 5:14 2nd quarter
Kickoff is a touchback and Alabama will take over from their own 25. And Jalen Hurts finally breaks one! He’s off to the races and it’s a 31-yard gain into Georgia territory! But just when it looks like the Tide have something going, Georgia’s defense steps up including a blind-side sack by Davin Bellamy on second down for a loss of six. The drive is stopped in its tracks and Alabama will punt. The good news for Tide fans: JK Scott’s punt is a good one, traveling 39 yards and out at the Georgia 5.
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Field goal, Georgia!
*Bama 0-6 Georgia, 7:33 2nd quarter
The catch is confirmed and Georgia will have 1st-and-goal from the 10. Now the Tide defense comes up big: stopping Chubb for no gain on first down and forcing a pair of incomplete passes (inlcuding one that was nearly intercepted) to force the field goal attempt. Rodrigo Blankenship steps up and splits the uprights from 27 yards to double Georgia’s lead.
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While we wait ... here’s a look at a protester outside the stadium and a few more shots of Trump taking in the action.
Bama 0-3 Georgia*, 8:59 2nd quarter
Georgia starts from their own 20 and Fromm completes to D’Andre Swift in the flat and he breaks a tackle and goes for a 15-yard gain. Now a five-yard run by Chubb and a five-yard keeper by Fromm, who shows some elusiveness in the backfield to escape for another first down on the Bulldogs 45. But Fromm misses Payne on the next play and Michel is held for a two-yard gain and now Georgia faces another 3rd-and-long. Fromm drops back and he finds Riley Ridley in acres of space in the middle of the field for a 23-yard completion down to the Alabama 30 for a Georgia first down! Big opportunity for the Bulldogs here. Fromm completes to Hardman for no gain, then Swift runs for four yards and it’s going to be a 3rd-and-6 from the Alabama 26. And Fromm converts on third down again, finding Javon Wims for a 16-yard leaping grab along the left sideline! A back shoulder fade to beat the cornerback and both feet on in. Beautifully thrown pass and Georgia are in the red zone. Now we’ll take a break as the catch is under review.
Bama 0-3 Georgia*, 12:52 2nd quarter
Another booming kick by Blankenship for a touchback and Alabama take over from their own 25. Damien Harris runs for three yards, then a pause for an injury on the field. After play resumes Hurts runs for one yards, then throws an incomplete pass under duress and it’s 4th-and-6 from the Alabama 29. The punt team is on the field and Scott’s effort will be returned ... Hardman returns it about 10 yards but there are a few flags on the field. Looks like it will be for an illegal block in the back and it is indeed. It’s a 10-yard penalty and Georgia will take over from their own 20 instead of their 30.
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No kneeling players. But a bit of Trump dissent from Alabama’s side.
Alabama RB Bo Scarbrough yells “F— Trump” before tonight’s title game. pic.twitter.com/RhuhRyNFHh
— Sporting News (@sportingnews) January 9, 2018
Field goal, Georgia!
*Bama 0-3 Georgia, 14:14 2nd quarter
Georgia have a 3rd-and-11 from the Alabama 27 to start the second quarter but Sony Michel’s run goes only for three yards and the field goal team is out on the field. Bulldogs kicker Rodrigo Blankenship steps up to take a 41-yard attempt and it’s good! Georgia are on the board first.
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End of the 1st quarter: Bama 0-0 Georgia
Georgia run two more plays and move it down to the Alabama 24 and that’s the end of the first quarter.
While we wait ... some dispatches from the White House pool reporter, who is in the building shadowing the president.
President Trump came onto the field around 8:10 PM, flanked by a number of ROTC officers. He was greeted with a loud and mixed roar, which sounded like mainly cheers, smattered with some boos. He strode to midfield for a rendition of the national anthem, where he stood stoic -- hand over heart, and mouthing the words. He appeared to be looking around the stadium and basking in the packed stadium, bands and energy. He then left the field without speaking.
Pool was taken up to the main concourse to see President Trump from a distance. He was sitting in a private box, but outside, on the Alabama side of the 40-yard line. He looked intent on the game but waved to pool once. The president was flanked by ROTC members. We did not speak to the president and maybe watched him for one minute. He had great, in fact, incredible seats. The fans did not like your pool obstructing their views or seats. We are moving back to the hold room for citrus chicken and strangely unsweetened tea. Will send pics in a separate email.
To some questions I am getting, the president mouthed what appeared to be some of the words of the national anthem and didn’t mouth others. He seemed more excited to sing along near the end of the song. Pool was fairly close to him. We could not exactly tell what he was saying or singing.
Bama 0-0 Georgia*, 1:31 1st quarter
Georgia takes over on their own 21. Nick Chubb runs for gains of four and one yard to set up 3rd-and-5, but this time Sony Michel busts through for a seven-yard gain down to the 33-yard line and a Bulldogs first down. Michel runs for five and then Chubb runs for two, setting up 3rd-and-3. Five straight runs for the Bulldogs on this drive. And there’s a penalty on Alabama! A neutral-zone infraction by the Tide gifts Georgia a first down. A sixth straight run by Georgia as Michel runs for no gain, but then Fromm completes a high 13-yard pass to Riley Ridley for a first down into Alabama territory. It’s 1st-and-10 from the Alabama 42. Fromm throws an incompete pass to Wims, then takes a 10-yard sack by Anthoy Averett back into Georgia territory. Oh dear! It’s going to be 3rd-and-20 ... but on the next play Michel runs up the edge and gets a block and he’s off to the races: a 26-yard run on 3rd-and-20 and the Bulldogs have it down to the Alabama 26. They’re going to review this play to make sure he didn’t step out of bounds, but a quick glance at the replay seems to confirm he was in bounds the whole time. Georgia will continue their drive after the break.
Sony Michel is going to be a massive star in the NFL. What a run.
— Matt Hinton (@MattRHinton) January 9, 2018
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Bama 0-0 Georgia*, 6:54 1st quarter
Alabama take over on their own 20 and the drive is a short one. Bo Scarbrough runs for three and four yards to set up 3rd and 3, but Jalen Hurts takes it on a designed run and is swallowed by a gaggle of Georgia defenders for a one-yard loss. JK Scott out to punt and he sends a booming kick 53 yards down the field. It’s downed at the Georgia 21 and the Bulldogs will take over after the break. A defensive slugfest playing out early in Atlanta.
*Bama 0-0 Georgia, 9:04 1st quarter
On 4th-and-15 from the Georgia 31, the Bulldogs’ punter Cameron Nizialek hits one 49 yds and Alabama’s Trevon Diggs makes a fair catch on their own 20.
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Bama 0-0 Georgia*, 9:54 1st quarter
Alabama take over on their own 36. Damien Harris runs for four yards then quarterback Jalen Hurts completes an eight-yard pass to Robert Foster for a first down. A nine-yard pass by Hurts move the Tide into Georgia territory and a 12-yard run by Hurts takes it down to the Georgia 31 for another first down. An incomplete pass and two-yard run put Alabama into a 3rd-and-8, but Hurts runs for 10 yards and moves the chains again. Alabama into the red zone at the Georgia 19. Another short run and incomplete pass set up another 3rd-and-long, but this time Hurts throws another incomplete pass and the Tide will set up for an Andy Pappanastos field goal from the Georgia 17. A false start penalty will move it back to the 22 and Pappanastos will attempt a 40-yard attempt. He’s normally automatic from this range but this time he misses the field goal! Wide left by a ways and it’s an early break for the Bulldogs! Alabama’s 11-play, 42-yard drive comes up empty and Georgia will take over from their own 22.
*Bama 0-0 Georgia, 13:38 1st quarter
Fromm completes a pass to Nick Chubb for a loss of one yard, then another to Terry Godwin for a gain of four. On 3rd-and-7 from the 28, Fromm drops back and goes deep to wide receiver Javon Wims ... but Alabama’s Tony Brown rises up and wrestles an underthrown ball and it’s an interception!
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Kickoff
Any they’re off! Alabama’s kick goes out of the back of the end zone and Georgia will take over from their own 25 with quarterback Jake Fromm under center.
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The captains come together at midfield for the coin toss. Alabama, as the visiting team, will call the toss. The Tide calls tails and it is tails. Alabama defer their choice to the second half and Georgia elects to receive to start the game. Not much longer now!
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It’s anthem time in Atlanta and Donald Trump is walking on the field to what sounds on television like a mix of cheers and boos. He’s takes his position on the 40-yard line as a color guard presents the flag for the singing of the national anthem. Zac Brown Band is here to sing it. He’ll be watching the game from the visiting owner’s box tonight.
Trump was received with huge boos when he was introduced before the #NationalChampionship game pic.twitter.com/qNVS2URVwX
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 9, 2018
For those asking about players kneeling during the anthem, it was a non-issue: the players were not on the field for the anthem. They’re still in the locker room and will emerge from the tunnel momentarily.
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A good question from reader John Goldstein. He asks: “If these two teams are in the same conference, why haven’t they played this season?”
Alabama and Georgia play in different divisions in the SEC. They would have met in the conference championship game if the Tide had beaten Auburn on Thanksgiving weekend, but Auburn won and were then beaten by the Bulldogs the next week. That cost Auburn a spot in the playoffs, which controversially went to Alabama. So in case you were wondering if the four-year-old playoff system would completely eliminate controversy from determining college football’s best team ... well, there’s your answer.
Predictions, anyone? Our correspondent Brandon Lilly likes the Bulldogs in a high-scoring affair:
On offense, Georgia relies heavily on its running game. In the win over Oklahoma, the Bulldogs’ running back tandem of Sony Michel and Nick Chubb combined for 326 yards on the ground and five touchdowns. For the season, both Michel and Chubb have tallied over 1,000 yards individually and both seniors are expected to be high draft picks in April’s NFL Draft.
But it’s the passing game that has improved greatly for the Bulldogs over the course of the season. Freshman Jake Fromm took over the reins from incumbent starter Jacob Eason after Eason was injured in season opener against Appalachian State. Eason is healthy again, but has not been able to regain his starting spot from Fromm, who threw for 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions this season. Fromm is more steady than he is electric, as he only threw for 300 yards once this season. But he was pivotal in the win against Oklahoma, throwing for two scores while not turning the ball over. If Georgia is to pull the upset – Alabama has been installed as a 4½-point favorite – Fromm is going to have to play as well as he did against the Sooners.
Fromm is a Georgia kid, as are most of the kids on the Georgia roster. Alabama, through Saban’s dominance over the past decade, recruits nationally. And their best player, the cornerback and New Jersey product Minkah Fitzpatrick, is a key cog in a defense that leads the nation in total yards allowed. (The Tide defense was also tops in the land last season.) Alabama features the best rushing defense in the country, but they have yet to face a duo as prolific as Michel and Chubb. If Georgia is able to move the ball on the ground, it could be long night for the Tide, as on offense, they are a little bit of a mess.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts is a dynamic athlete who can make big plays with his legs. But Alabama has not had to rely on him throw the ball at all this year. He has only 246 passing attempts all seasons. By comparison, Oklahoma quarterback and Heisman trophy winner Baker Mayfield completed 39 more passes than Hurts attempted all year. Georgia’s defense allowed the fifth fewest points on the year (Alabama was first here as well), but they were second in the country before Oklahoma put up 48 points on the Bulldogs in Pasadena. Alabama’s offense is nowhere near as prolific as that of the Sooners.
The game’s location in Atlanta and Georgia’s running backs give the edge to the Bulldogs. Georgia is coached by Kirby Smart, a Saban protégé, so neither side should be able to outwit the other. The stinginess of the two defenses would lead one to expect a defensive struggle, but in the three CFP championship games thus far, the winner has scored at least 35 points. Take Georgia and the over.
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Hello and welcome to tonight’s College Football Playoff national championship game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Alabama Crimson Tide. It’s one final scrap for all the marbles between two timeworn Southeastern Conference foes with no dearth of history between them with no less than the president of the United States in attendance. In fact Donald Trump himself is expected to join Alabama’s radio booth for at least part of the game, which you can listen to here.
President Trump is expected to join the Alabama Crimson Tide Sports Network tonight in the radio booth for part of the NCAA football championship game. Here's where you can listen. (Are Georgia fans getting equal time?) https://t.co/EwuyQ18Svb
— David Martosko (@dmartosko) January 8, 2018
Kickoff is just over 15 minutes away and we’ll have full rolling coverage between now and the final whistle. Plenty more to come!
Bryan will be here shortly. In the meantime here’s Brandon Lilly’s lookahead to tonight’s national title game.
