Alabama upsets top-ranked Georgia in SEC championship, creating possible chaos ahead of final playoff rankings
The two-time defending national champions and the reigning SEC champions Georgia Bulldogs entered Saturday's title game in Atlanta with a perfect regular season record.
The Bulldogs were the favorites to win this year's SEC Championship, but No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide had other plans.
Alabama defeated Georgia 27-24, creating potential chaos for the College Football Playoff committee.
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Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe threw two touchdown passes and added 64 rushing yards to end Georgia's 29-game winning streak.
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Saturday's game marked the fourth matchup between Georgia and Alabama in the SEC title game. At some point in each of the past three games, the Bulldogs held a double-digit lead over the Tide. But, each time Alabama managed to rally and ultimately won all three games.
This time, Georgia did not take a double-digit lead at any point. However, the Bulldogs did score the first touchdown of the game and jumped out to a seven-point lead in the first quarter.
A key moment happened in the second half, when Georgia quarterback Carson Beck's hand-off to Daijun Edwards was misplayed. The ball fell to the turf and was recovered by Alabama.
The turnover led to an Alabama field goal.
Beck finished Saturday's game with 243 passing yards. Senior running back Kendall Milton scored two touchdowns on 42 rushing yards.
In the fourth quarter, Georgia closed the gap to 20-17 when Beck used a quarterback sneak to get into the end zone. Beck's 1-yard run was set up by Anthony Evans III's 28-yard punt return.
But, Alabama responded quickly. Milroe connected with Isaiah Bond on four passes as the Tide moved the ball down the field. Running back Roydell Williams capped the drive with 1-yard touchdown run to give Alabama a 10-point lead with just under six minutes remaining in the game.
"This is a team," longtime Alabama coach Nick Saban said after the game. "I’ve never been prouder of a group of guys."
Saban previously mentioned that overcoming deficits and finishing games has been this team's modus operandi all year.
"It should be a lesson for everybody in life: Overcome adversity, man. If you have the ability to do that, you have a great chance to be successful," Saban said after Alabama's thrilling comeback over Auburn in last week's Iron Bowl.
Saban benched Milroe earlier this season after he got off to a rocky start, but has bounced back to become one of the better quarterbacks in the nation. Milroe said the upset win should dispel any doubts about this year's Crimson Tide team.
"A lot of people doubted this team," Milroe said. "I never gave up on this team. That’s the biggest thing."
Only three teams have advanced to the College Football Playoff following a conference championship game lost. Georgia lost to Alabama in the 2021 SEC Championship game, but still advanced to the playoff, and went on to defeat the Tide in the national championship game.
Both Georgia and Alabama now await their fate in the playoff, with the year's final rankings being unveiled on Sunday.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart said the committee should select the "four best teams."
"Bill Hancock (CFP chairman) said it’s not the four most deserving. It’s the four best. If you’re in that committee room, and you’re telling me that that’s not one of the four best teams, then you’re in the wrong profession."
On Friday, the Washington Huskies held off the Oregon Ducks to win the Pac-12 Championship. Earlier on Saturday, No. 7 Texas dominated Oklahoma State to win the Big 12 championship. Although the Longhorns suffered a four-point loss to Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry during the regular season, Texas is making it's case to be included in the playoff.
Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark was drowned out by boos and "S-E-C" chants from fans inside AT&T stadium. Despite Texas' pending departure for the SEC, Yormark still went to bat for the Longhorns saying, "Texas certainly deserves to be in the CFP."