Here. We. Go.

01/10/2022

By: Jeff Yoder

CFP National Championship: #1 Alabama vs. #3 Georgia (8:00 pm ET, ESPN)

It all comes down to this. A rematch of the SEC title game and the 2018 national championship, it’s #1 Alabama vs. #3 Georgia for all the marbles. The Crimson Tide won the first meeting for SEC supremacy (41-24) behind QB Bryce Young’s 480-yard, 4-TD performance. The Heisman Trophy winner is the undisputed x-factor tonight, but the Bulldogs come in with a chip on their shoulder looking to avenge their losses in December and 2018.

 

Tale of the Tape

 

#1 Alabama (13-1)

The Crimson Tide are appearing in their sixth playoff final in eight seasons. Head coach Nick Saban claims seven national championships out of the program’s 18 total — tied with Yale for the most all-time. A win tonight would break the tie and cement Alabama as college football’s most decorated program ever (if there’s still a debate). Their only loss of the season came against #23 Texas A&M back in October (41-38).

 

#3 Georgia (13-1)

The Bulldogs are appearing in their second national title game of the playoff era, with the previous loss coming to ‘Bama in 2018. Head coach Kirby Smart has never won a title, and Georgia hasn’t been crowned national champs since the 1980 season. The program has two titles in its history (1941 & 1980). Georgia ran the table in the regular season (12-0) before stumbling against the Tide in the SEC Championship. Their biggest question mark: Can QB Stetson Bennett really lead the team to a title?

 

Quarterback Comparison

QB Bryce Young (ALA): 4,503 yards, 46 TDs, 5 INTs

QB Stetson Bennett (GA): 2,638 yards, 27 TDs, 7 INTs

 

CFP National Championship

#1 Alabama vs. #3 Georgia (8:00 pm ET, ESPN)

 

Additional Storylines

SI: CFP National Championship Game Betting Preview

FOX Sports: How Georgia Can Turn the Crimson Tide in Rematch

CBS Sports: Dawgs Bring Tide Blast from Their Past as Styles Clash in National Championship