2022 CFB National Championship preview: Georgia vs. Alabama

Sean Clark previews the 2021 CFB Playoff National Championship game between Alabama and Georgia.

For college football events, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis is accustomed to hosting an annual matchup between Big Ten powers for its conference championship game.

On Monday, it will be the host of a showdown between two SEC powers for the national title.

For the third time in 11 years, the National Championship game pits two SEC teams against one another. Back in 2011, Alabama routed LSU 21-0 in a rematch of LSU’s 9-6 win at Alabama on Nov. 5.

Six years later, Alabama defeated Georgia 26-23 in overtime after backup quarterback Tua Tagovailoa rallied the Crimson Tide from a 20-7 second-half deficit.

That is only one of many heartbreaking losses dealt upon Georgia by the Alabama dynasty over the past 14 years.

Georgia has the chance to get over the hump against Nick Saban, who has a record of 7-1 against the Bulldogs (only loss coming in his first season). After seven losses in a row, Georgia is hoping to break through and win their first national championship since 1980.

Like the 2011 national title game, this is a rematch of a game earlier this season. In the SEC Championship game, Alabama continued their dominance over Georgia in Atlanta with a statement 41-24 win against Georgia’s stout defense.

In the game, Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Bryce Young had his way with Georgia’s young secondary, consistently throwing daggers into the hearts of the Bulldogs defense.

He finished with 421 passing yards and three touchdowns to solidify his case for the Heisman Trophy. Young outgunned Georgia QB Stetson Bennett, who tossed two interceptions that led to Georgia falling to an insurmountable deficit.

Coming into that game, Georgia was favored due to their defensive dominance all season long. However, their vaunted front-seven could not get any substantial pressure on Young as he was not sacked at all.

Bennett, on the other hand, could not keep up with Young as he was forced to throw the ball 48 times. While playing from behind most of the game and a stagnant running game not providing another legit option to move the ball down the field, Bennett fell short to the dismay of the already critical Georgia faithful.

After Georgia’s undefeated regular season and Alabama’s conference title, both teams earned a trip to the College Football Playoff, where both imposed their dominance on their semifinal opponents.

Georgia took on the Big Ten champion Michigan Wolverines in the Orange Bowl. The defense that had dominated during the regular season showed out once again on the national stage, shutting Michigan’s offense out of the endzone until garbage time.

In the 34-11 victory, Bennett showed his throwing prowess with two rainbow touchdown passes to Jermaine Burton and James Cook. He finished the game with 313 passing yards and three touchdowns.

As for the Crimson Tide, they took on the first Group of 5 team to make the playoff in Cincinnati. They made sure the Cinderella story ended in the Cotton Bowl Classic as Alabama took care of business against the Bearcats 27-6.

While Young tossed three touchdown passes, it was running back Brian Robinson Jr. that stole the show. He rushed for 204 yards, outgaining Young’s passing yards mark by 23 yards.

Will Anderson Jr. dominated Cincinnati’s offensive line with two sacks while constantly harassing Cincinnati QB Desmond Ridder.

One concern for Alabama heading into the national title is the continued absence of playmaking wide receiver John Metchie III, who tore his ACL in the previous matchup against Georgia.

The good news for the Tide is as usual, their depth remains top notch. Leading pass catcher Jameson Williams remains as their explosive home-run threat, but the cast of role players, including Slade Bolden, Cameron Latu and Ja’Corey Brooks all caught touchdown passes in their win over Cincinnati.

If Georgia is going to finally knock off Alabama on college football’s biggest stage, there are three aspects that must go in their favor.

First, they must not fall behind early. Georgia’s recipe all season long is to jump ahead early and let the bruising running game wear out defenses. If Bennett has to throw it all game long like he did in the SEC Championship game, that is a recipe for disaster.

Also, Georgia has to put pressure on Young. Georgia’s secondary has proven it can not stop Young when he has ample time to throw the ball. If the front seven can make Young uncomfortable, that will allow the secondary more opportunities to contain Alabama’s dangerous playmakers.

Lastly and perhaps most importantly, Georgia cannot lose the turnover battle. It is hard enough to beat Alabama at all, much less when a team gifts Alabama free possessions and good field position. Bennett has to avoid throwing interceptions that could put the game away early for the Crimson Tide.

This time around, I see Georgia turning the game into a defensive slugfest. Young will not have as much success against Georgia’s defense as he did back in December. The Bulldogs will hang around and make Monday’s game a tightly-contested affair.

However, the difference for Alabama’s inevitable victory will be Anderson Jr. disrupting Georgia’s final drive. He will strip-sack Bennett late in the game, sealing Alabama’s seventh national title with Saban as coach.

Prediction: Alabama 20 Georgia 16