On Saturday, the Alabama Crimson Tide will open their SEC schedule for the 2025 college football season against the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium.
This will mark the 75th time in program history these two teams have squared off against each other, and the first time in Athens since 2015.
The Crimson Tide currently hold a 44-26-4 record against the Bulldogs, including winning nine of the last 10 meetings between the two. Georgia brings a 33-game home winning streak to the table that Alabama will attempt to break on Saturday.
Here are a few things to look for in Alabama’s SEC opener.
- Keep Simpson Clean
The biggest key for an Alabama victory on Saturday is giving Ty Simpson time in the pocket. Georgia has only recorded four sacks to date, but the talent is there to give the Alabama offensive line, especially the offensive tackles, fits. If given time, the receivers for the Crimson Tide have shown that they can get open against any secondary in the country. Simpson has also demonstrated that if given a clean pocket, he has the accuracy and decision-making to make the defense pay.
- Can Jam Resurrect the Rushing Attack?
Getting Jam Miller back against Georgia is extremely huge for not only the Alabama offense but also for bringing leadership and experience to a young group of running backs. In Miller’s absence, the running game has been abysmal, averaging 123 yards on the ground per game. Without Alabama’s leading rusher from a year ago, the Crimson Tide was forced to fill the position by committee. Through the first three games, Alabama’s leading rusher is Kevin Riley with just 120 yards on 23 carries. Miller was a pivotal piece in Alabama’s win over Georgia last year, and this year they will need him to do the same.
- Struggles On the Road
Under Kalen DeBoer, Alabama holds a disappointing 2-5 record away from Bryant-Denny Stadium. Saturday will be one of the toughest road tests that the Crimson Tide will face all year. Sanford Stadium, in primetime against a No. 5-ranked Georgia team, will be a loud and hostile environment. To add to the atmosphere, Georgia plans to have all its fans wear black, creating a “blackout” to bring more energy to the stadium. Good news for Alabama is that the last time Georgia constructed a “blackout game,” the Crimson Tide came away 41-30 victors in 2008.
- Limit Penalties
Coming into Saturday’s game, Alabama is middle of the pack, averaging 6.7 penalties a game, which is a slight improvement from last year but not by much. In a game of this magnitude, a possession extended for the opposition or a drive stalled by a penalty could be the difference in the game. The offensive line will have its hands full to avoid false start penalties in the presence of a hostile and loud environment.
- Contain the Run
Georgia’s strength on the offensive side of the ball is its run game, which averages over 200 yards a game. The Bulldogs have used a running back rotation that already has four backs with over 100 yards rushing through three games. Quarterback Gunner Stockton is not a run-first quarterback, but like Alabama’s Ty Simpson, is an athletic runner who can get loose when the pocket collapses. Stopping the run this year has been a bit of a struggle for the Crimson Tide this year, allowing opponents to rush for an average of 138 yards a game. Getting defensive tackle Tim Keenan back from injury will help combat the potent Georgia rushing attack.
Alabama will open its SEC schedule on the road against Georgia on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. The game will be televised on ABC.
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