The Alabama Crimson Tide has owned the Georgia Bulldogs in recent years. Alabama has been more than just a thorn in the side for Georgia football.
Under head coach Nick Saban, Alabama prevented Georgia from winning several SEC and national championships. The Crimson Tide have been the best team in college football in recent years, but Georgia and head coach Kirby Smart may have taken that title in recent seasons.
Alabama is the only team to defeat Georgia since 2020 (Alabama won the 2021 SEC championship and 2023 SEC championship). Georgia has won a pair of national championships since they last lost a regular season game.
The 2024 edition of Georgia-Alabama is another high-stakes battle. However, the loser will not be eliminated from the College Football Playoff race.
Alabama has won eight of its last nine games against Georgia. UGA’s Kirby Smart is just 1-5 in his career against Alabama.
What is the series history between the Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide?
(2007) Georgia’s last win in Tuscaloosa
The last time Georgia beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa was in 2007. Of course, Georgia has only played at Alabama once (2020) since then.
Matthew Stafford, Knowshon Moreno and the Bulldogs won in overtime 26-23 against the Crimson Tide. Mikey Henderson caught a clutch overtime touchdown to give Mark Richt and UGA a huge road win in Tuscaloosa.
(2008, 2015) Georgia plays flat at home
Nick Saban and Alabama dominated very talented and highly ranked Georgia teams in Athens in 2008 and 2015. As a Georgia fan, who attended both games, I can safely say both games were absolute misery.
In 2008, Matthew Stafford, Knowshon Moreno and A.J. Green headlined UGA’s talented team that was ranked as the preseason No. 1. Alabama raced to a shocking 31-0 halftime lead. Georgia put up some garbage time stats to make the game look closer on the scoreboard. Alabama won 41-30 to begin the dominance of the Nick Saban era.
In 2015, Derrick Henry and Alabama played at Georgia during a heavy rain. The Crimson Tide forced four Georgia turnovers and scored one touchdown off a blocked punt. Georgia collapsed and allowed a pair of touchdowns before halftime. Alabama won 38-10 in what was the beginning of the end of the Mark Richt era.
(2012) UGA comes up 5 yards short in SEC title
The Georgia Bulldogs and quarterback Aaron Murray were up for the challenge of facing Alabama in 2012. Georgia entered the game 11-1 and looking at a shot to face Notre Dame in the national championship.
Todd Gurley ran for 122 yards and two touchdowns in a great performance, but it was not enough for the Dawgs. Amari Cooper, Eddie Lacy and AJ McCarron fueled a strong fourth quarter from the Alabama offense. Trailing 32-28, Aaron Murray helped the Georgia offense got the ball inside the 10-yard line, but he completed a tipped pass to wide receiver Chris Conley at the 5-yard line as time expired.
2017 national championship, 2018 SEC championship
The 2018 SEC championship game and the 2017 national championship game (played in 2018) were another pair of tough losses for Georgia. The Dawgs built leads in both games, but allowed Alabama to come back.
Alabama’s second-string quarterbacks (Tua Tagovailoa in 2017 and Jalen Hurts in 2018) helped propel the Crimson Tide in both games.
(2020) Georgia falls in Tuscaloosa
“It was more strange then because of the stands,” said Kirby Smart on Georgia’s last trip to Tuscaloosa. Georgia held a 24-17 lead in the second quarter before Alabama prevailed with a dominant first half.
Georgia could not stop Mac Jones, Najee Harris, DeVonta Smith and the Alabama offense. UGA allowed Alabama to rack up 564 total yards of offense and quarterback Stetson Bennett threw three interceptions. Not a recipe to win on the road.
(2021) Georgia loses in SEC title, wins the national title
The Georgia Bulldogs lost to Alabama 41-24 in the 2021 SEC championship. Alabama quarterback Bryce Young shredded the Georgia defense.
However, the narrative changed in the 2021 national championship. Georgia bounced back after Stetson Bennett had a fumble in the fourth quarter. Bennett led the Bulldogs down the field on a pass-heavy drive. Facing second-and-18 on Georgia’s next drive, Bennett connected with Adonai Mitchell on a 40-yard touchdown pass. Georgia never looked back.
Georgia’s defense forced a three-and-out on Alabama’s next drive. Next, UGA’s offensive line dominated Alabama as the Dawgs drove the ball into the red zone behind a spirited rushing attack. Bennett connected with Brock Bowers on a touchdown to build a 26-18 lead.
The Dawgs needed to stop Bryce Young and Alabama to win a national championship. Young and the Crimson Tide drove the ball to near midfield before he threw a third-down pick six to UGA’s Kelee Ringo. Georgia wins 33-18.
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