The Georgia-Alabama showdown is always a marquee event in college football, and their upcoming Week 5 matchup is no exception. For the first time since 2015, the two teams will meet in the regular season. In their most recent encounter, Alabama narrowly edged Georgia with a 3-point victory in the 2023 SEC Championship Game. However, Georgia’s last win in the series came in the 2021 national championship.
Both teams are entering this game with significant changes. Nick Saban is no longer leading Alabama, which could be a positive for Georgia’s Kirby Smart, who has struggled with a 1-5 record against his former mentor. Meanwhile, former Alabama assistant Travaris Robinson is now co-defensive coordinator for Georgia in his first season.
Alabama’s new head coach, Kalen DeBoer, has started his tenure strong with a 3-0 record, but facing Smart and the Bulldogs will be a true SEC initiation for the former Washington Huskies coach.
Georgia, ranked No. 2, enters the game as a 2.5-point road favorite according to FanDuel, but ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) sees it differently, giving No. 4 Alabama a 67% chance to win.
Georgia boasts the better signature win so far this season, a dominant 34-3 victory over No. 21 Clemson. However, their narrow 13-12 win over unranked Kentucky last week has raised some doubts about the reigning national champions.
This will be Alabama’s toughest challenge of the season after their comfortable wins over Western Kentucky, South Florida, and Wisconsin.
Fans of elite quarterback play will want to tune in as Carson Beck and Jalen Milroe, both Heisman Trophy contenders, face off. It’s a rare treat to see two Heisman hopefuls clash in a regular-season game, adding even more excitement to this rivalry.
The winner will take a major step toward the SEC Championship and likely strengthen their College Football Playoff resume. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
