What Georgia Win Means For Alabama

The Alabama Crimson Tide fended off the Georgia Bulldogs' comeback attempts, holding on to defeat the (now former) No. 2 team in the country, 41-34.

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This was the game that everyone had circled. This was the game that everyone said could define the 2024 season. This was the game that everyone said would be the test for Alabama under Kalen DeBoer.

And the Crimson Tide passed it with (mostly) flying colors.

Alabama jumped out to a 30-7 lead in the first half, and the Crimson Tide were rolling strong after punching Georgia in the mouth. The Bulldogs looked stunned, and Alabama was feeling itself on Saturday night.

Then, things got dicey. 

Georgia stormed back, holding Alabama to just three points in the third quarter following an explosive first half for the Crimson Tide. Georgia kept chipping away at the lead, and Alabama fans held their breath and tweeted their feelings when Georgia took their first (and only) lead of the game: 34-33 with 2:31 left in the football game.

Alabama kept it calm, cool, and collected on the sideline.

Georgia held the lead for 13 seconds. For 13 seconds, Georgia tasted what it was going to be like to conquer the Crimson Tide on their home turf.

Then, Hollywood came swinging.

Jalen Milroe found Ryan Williams right in front of the Georgia sideline; Williams made a beautiful back-shoulder catch, made the defender miss, and would not be denied the endzone.

What Does This Game Mean For Alabama?

No. 1 - it's the perfect start to the Kalen DeBoer era in the SEC. The Crimson Tide got the king of college football on its home turf and knocked off the No. 2 team in the country. DeBoer proved he could win against the best of the best in the SEC, and Alabama showed its resiliency and grit by taking the shot and retaking the lead from Georgia.

No. 2 - Recruiting. Alabama had more recruits in the building than players on the field, and the best of the best prospects from the 2025, 2026, and 2027 classes saw that Alabama is still Alabama. The Crimson Tide won't be going anywhere anytime soon following a big win, at home, over the Bulldogs.

No. 3 - The rest of the season. Alabama defeating Georgia was, obviously, the best outcome possible for the remainder of the season. Alabama still has a tough schedule, don't get me wrong, but toppling the No. 2 team in the country means that Alabama will likely vault into being a top-three team, and their goals for the season are still within their grasp. More importantly, they don't have to rely on other teams to lose.  With the win over Georgia, Alabama has one task to make it to Atlanta for the SEC Championship: win out. Obviously, that is easier said than done, with road trips to Tennessee, LSU, and Oklahoma, and home dates with Missouri and Auburn still on the schedule. However, if Alabama can win out, that locks them into one of the two spots in the SEC Championship and essentially guarantees them a spot in the College Football Playoffs.

No. 4 - It puts doubt into the minds of the rest of the conference. The rest of the SEC danced on Alabama's grave when Nick Saban retired. As my good friend says, "If you're gonna dance on the grave, dance lightly." The rest of the SEC will see what Alabama did to Georgia, and begin to doubt if Alabama will fall off despite Nick Saban no longer being in the program.

No. 5 - All aboard the Heisman Train. Milroe is now the only player in AP Poll history to have 300 yards passing, 100 yards rushing, and two rushing touchdowns against a top-five team. With the poor performance by Cam Ward, and the losses by Carson Beck and Jaxson Dart, Milroe should skyrocket to the top of the Heisman Trophy odds.