Kirby Smart ended a decade-long drought against Alabama in the regular season as Georgia pulled off a 20-17 victory in Athens. The Bulldogs’ ground game dominated, rushing for 206 yards, while quarterback Gunner Stockton added 248 yards through the air in a performance that controlled the line of scrimmage.
Smart, a former assistant at Alabama, had struggled to beat his old team during regular season play, holding an 0-7 record before this game. His previous wins over the Crimson Tide came in a national title game and an SEC championship, but this was his first against Alabama during the regular campaign. The win shakes up the SEC race and puts Georgia in a stronger position.
Alabama faced several setbacks in the second half. An interception was overturned on video review after officials determined the ball hit the ground, and a late pass interference call was denied despite appearing clear on a critical drive. These moments contributed to the narrow loss, which now sets up Alabama for a challenging road game against Tennessee next week that could determine its playoff hopes.
Georgia’s offensive line paved the way for the ground attack, giving running backs room to move and wearing down Alabama’s defense. Stockton’s passing kept the Tide off balance, combining for a balanced offensive attack that made it difficult for Alabama to adjust.
The victory came amid a weekend of surprises in college football. Texas fell to Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry after quarterback Arch Manning threw two interceptions, including one in the final minute. UCLA, with first-year coach Bob Chesney, remained unbeaten at 5-0 after a win over Oregon, forcing seven turnovers in that game. Kentucky edged LSU in overtime, extending its strong start under new coach Will Stein.
Meanwhile, Indiana continued its winning streak with a comeback victory over Nebraska, and Miami was praised by analysts Kirk Herbstreit and Nick Saban as possibly the best team in college football right now. Notre Dame crushed Stanford 58-7 and prepares to face a ranked BYU team next week, while Texas dropped in the rankings after its defeat.
Georgia now prepares for Auburn, aiming to build on this breakthrough win. Alabama must regroup quickly as it faces Tennessee in Knoxville, a game that could have significant postseason implications. The Bulldogs’ ability to control the ground game and manage the clock was decisive in breaking through against the Tide, ending a long-standing regular season hurdle for Smart and his team.
According to Yahoo Sports.
