UGA isn’t just playing a team – it’s facing the Alabama aura
Emperor Saban and his band of crimson conquerors charge onward to the next fray. (AP photo)
Heard often: Georgia’s path to the SEC championship game was facilitated by a schedule that didn’t include Western powers Alabama (No. 2 in the BCS standings), LSU (No. 7) and Texas A&M (No. 9).
Heard less often: Alabama’s path to the SEC championship game was facilitated by a schedule that didn’t include Eastern powers Georgia (No. 3), Florida (No. 4) and South Carolina (No. 10).
Heard often: Georgia’s biggest victory of the season was largely a function of six Florida turnovers.
Heard less often: Alabama’s biggest victory of the season was largely a function of four failed kicking ploys from the fertile mind of LSU’s Les Miles.
There’s a military acronym — RHIP. It stands for, “Rank has its privileges.” Ranking matters in college football, where two-thirds of the BCS standings consist of human polls, and privilege has tangible benefits. The benefit of being Alabama is that you never have to explain yourself. You’re Bama. ‘Nuff said.
On Nov. 5, 2011, second-ranked Alabama lost at home to No. 1 LSU. The Crimson Tide dropped one spot in the BCS standings. Two weeks later, Bama was back at No. 2, a position that enabled it to win the BCS title without taking its division or conference.
On Nov. 10, 2012, top-ranked Alabama lost at home to No. 15 Texas A&M. The Tide slid to No. 4, trailing three unbeaten teams. A week later, Bama was back at No. 2. Contrast this with Oregon, which was ranked No. 2 but lost at home to No. 13 Stanford. The Ducks dropped No. 5, behind three once-beaten teams. Mortals pay for losing. Alabama never falls far or stays down long. Alone among collegiate programs, it comes equipped with an aura.
But you know what? The halo fits. When you get as good as Alabama has gotten, you’ve earned the benefit of every doubt — not that there’s much cause for doubting. This is the premier program in the only conference that matters, and it keeps re-staking the claim.
Two years ago, its nemesis had the nerve to land Cam Newton and beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa after trailing 24-0 and won a national championship of its own, but where is Auburn today? Looking for a new coach. Where is Bama? Two games from a third BCS title in four seasons.
Even by Alabama’s lofty standards, its place in contemporary football is remarkable. It reigns over the sport in a way not seen since … Oklahoma under Bud Wilkinson? Notre Dame under Ara Parseghian? Bama itself under the Bear?
Alabama has been ranked No. 1 in each of the past five seasons, and in 2009 and 2011 it was No. 1 at the end. Bama moves inexorably from strength to strength. It has the ablest recruits, the wildest fans, the best coach.
About Nick Saban, all we need to know is this: He lost four first-round draftees to the NFL in April 2011 and won a national championship 8 1/2 months later. It was his third BCS title, and still he labors as if hellhounds were on his trail. Apologies to Urban Meyer, but Saban is the emperor of college football. Know how the NBA borrowed Jerry West’s silhouette for its logo? The BCS could do the same with Saban.
Loading ...No, Alabama doesn’t win every championship, or even every game. It lost to A&M 2 1/2 weeks ago. It lost twice in a row to LSU, where once Saban worked. It lost to Utah in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 2, 2009. Heck, it lost to Louisiana-Monroe in 2007. But that was near the end of Saban’s first season as coach, which ended with the Tide at 7-6. Alabama has since gone 59-7, which in this league in this era is outrageous.
Still, there are gradations within the greatness. If you look hard, you’ll note that the Tide’s defense is yielding 40 more yards a game this season than it did in 2011. (Now as then, Alabama leads the nation in total defense.) In eight quarters plus an overtime, the LSU of last season managed 331 yards and nine points against the Tide D; in four quarters last month, LSU as quarterbacked by the Georgia exile Zach Mettenberger managed 435 yards and 17 points.
If you’re Georgia, which has reached consecutive SEC title games without exactly swaying the electorate, those numbers offer hope for what looms as the Bulldogs’ most significant game since Herschel Walker split for the USFL. Any program in search of ultimate validation must get past Saban and his minions. The past five national titles have been taken either by Alabama or by a team that beat a Saban-coached Alabama.
Win Saturday and nobody will ever again ask these Bulldogs, “Yeah, but who did you beat?” Win Saturday and Georgia will have bettered Bama, and Bama is the best. ‘Nuff said.
Further reading: This week’s Heat Check — Destiny’s Dogs? No-bowl Jackets? Whoa, Nelly.
By Mark Bradley
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
443 comments Add your comment
Big Crimson 75
November 26th, 2012
4:03 pm
Bear — what up. Roll Tide.
Rita — if Jesse Palmer says it, it’s gotta be the gospel.
ATLWmn
November 26th, 2012
4:03 pm
Kudos to everyone giving constructive commentary instead of blatant attacks on the teams. Both are great schools with great football programs, traditions, and expectations. Alabama may have better numbers on paper, but who knows what can happen any given Saturday? Both teams’ fans should be proud of their boys and enjoy the game with class this weekend. It’ll be a real Battle Royale and I for one am proud to call the SEC home.
Techies: quit the griping, focus on your own “gimme” game, and give thanks to Miami. And maybe try aiming your hatred at teams that are actually in your conference for a change–fueling the Georgia fire every year just makes you look petty and miserable. No one listens to the ravings of a 6-6 high school team, and UGA really doesn’t give a darn about the rivalry.
That being said, Go Dawgs! Have a great week everybody!
UGA fans are delusional
November 26th, 2012
4:04 pm
UGA fans should probably not talk about this game until after the game has happened. They are always so delusional about their team. Alabama will win this by a landslide.
Sorry, dogs. (And would you please do us all a favor and stop calling your team the “dawgs” – don’t you people know how to spell? That’s so 1990’s rap and the lamest thing I’ve ever seen.)
bruce mac
November 26th, 2012
4:05 pm
Donan, you must not be much of a college football fan. Your question demonstrates extreme ignorance of history and the popularity contest that has been the polls for the last almost 100 years. UGA claims two National Championships, Bama claims 14, Notre Dame claims ?. There is no National Champion of Division 1 football ever. That is what it is. You can claim whatever you want since it doesn’t really exist. There is now a BCS champion, still not a legit National Championship. UGA was designated by one of the polls to be number one in the nation five times so they could claim five but they choose to claim two. 1942 and 1980.
rabundawg
November 26th, 2012
4:05 pm
excellent synopsis!
Flo- Ri- Duh
November 26th, 2012
4:07 pm
McCarron has the most pressure on him with the Heisman practically his if he had gone undefeated. He showed the pressure with his mistakes against A&M and LSU. Of course Murray’s reputation in big games is well known – did he turn the corner with his 2nd half play against Florida? Some think Florida has the best “D” in the country – maybe the most consistent any way. Ever since the Kentucky game UGA’s defense has at least been equal to any thing Florida or Bummer has shown. Personally I think LSU could have the best “D” as long as Less Miles doesn’t go in to prevent defense like he did against Bummer with 6 minutes left.
miket
November 26th, 2012
4:07 pm
should be a good one.
GTBob
November 26th, 2012
4:07 pm
Bobby — not exactly a banner day for the ‘ol ACC Saturday!!
Meh, it was fine. I find myself rooting against the ACC these days just to see how bad we can get. FSU choking away the Florida game was actually pretty funny.
Tide Rising
November 26th, 2012
4:08 pm
Georgia is definitely a child of a lesser football God.
GTBob
November 26th, 2012
4:09 pm
He said that UGA has the most talented defense in the NATION.
UGA has the most talented team in the nation almost every year. Unfortunately talent isnt everything.
George P Burdell
November 26th, 2012
4:11 pm
All…you are wasting your time arguing with the UGA cult- Hershell worship (it was 30 years ago dawgs). To the cult UGA is the Harvard of the south and the dawgs are there religion. Do you know UGA offers a PhD in Geography- seriously- look it up on UGA website!!!
Tide Rising
November 26th, 2012
4:11 pm
“bama may or may not win but just cause its bama they have already gave them
both titles”
So someone “gave us” the national title in 2009 when we were the lone undefeated bcs conference power at the end of the year? And did someone “give us” the title in 2011? Or did we as the best of several one loss teams actually have to go out and beat LSU in their house?
Roy
November 26th, 2012
4:11 pm
What’s really sad is there are Tech fans on here talking about the UGA vs. Alabama SEC title game, when they have an ACC title game on their hands yet they are so obsessed with UGA, they’ve almost forgotten their title game. That’s sad. Oh and FSU wins by 30.
Thomas Not Concise Brown
November 26th, 2012
4:13 pm
heard often, Alabama won two of the last three national championships.
heard less often, Georgia won the national championship thirty two years ago.
Big Crimson 75
November 26th, 2012
4:14 pm
For those that care:
Reports in Auburn are saying a “deal” was in place with a Coach prior to cheese-dip getting whacked.
I think it’s Jimbo-100%.
Some are saying Charlie Strong. No way Aubie had a pre-arranged deal with Strong with potentially better candidates available.
If Jimbo ends up at Auburn, Kirby goes to FSU.
Strong goes to Arky.
David Shaw to UT(they wish)!!
James Franklin or Gus Mahlzan to KY.
pb
November 26th, 2012
4:14 pm
Hey UGA fans are delusional,
Get a life. How does it hurt or offfend you that Georgia fans call their team “Dawgs”? It is just a silly nickname, has nothing to do with being able to spell or not. I have a feeling you would not like UGA fans, no matter what they call their team.
DIT
November 26th, 2012
4:15 pm
Let’s be honest, the only National Championship that should matter is the last one and Bama has it. I really don’t care who who the NC two years or before. It simply does not matter. So UGA might have won a NC back in 1942, who cares.
Retired HS bball coach
November 26th, 2012
4:15 pm
ON the money as usual Mark Bradley…..I have said for years, “If I had a son playing college football, I would want him to play for Mark Richt, but if my house deed depended upon a game i would want Saban coaching my team.”
Roy
November 26th, 2012
4:16 pm
I’m literally no longer interested in the UGA vs. GT “rivalry”. Just another cupcake for UGA. Bring on somebody that’ll give us some competition. What happened to Clemson? Replace GT with Clemson and let them be our yearly rivalry game.
Tide Rising
November 26th, 2012
4:16 pm
Total Defense: Bama: 1st, UGA: 22nd
Rushing Defense: Bama: 2nd, UGA: 69th
Passing Defense: Bama: 3rd, UGA: 9th
Scoring Defense: Bama: 1st, UGA: 16th
“Yet somehow UGA fans are arguing that they will win because of their superior defense.”
Such is the twisted world of Georgia bulldog logic.
And on a side note a defense that yields over 150 yards a game rushing like Georgia’s defense is in trouble when they face a Bama O-line that has 3 lineman projected to go in the first round of the NFL draft. And the other 2 will be drafted next year when they go pro with Kuandijio almost certainly going in the first round next year. Dawgs have no idea what the hell is about to hit their defense. Just like 2008.
Get Real
November 26th, 2012
4:17 pm
Rammer Jammer!!!!!
DIT
November 26th, 2012
4:18 pm
WOW, Jimbo to Auburn. That would tick off a couple of FSU people.
DIT
November 26th, 2012
4:19 pm
We open with Clemson next year I believe.
Rodster
November 26th, 2012
4:20 pm
Good article Mark.
Steve
November 26th, 2012
4:20 pm
Tide Rising, kinda like Bama had no clue what A&M was going to do to them? : )
Red Stick
November 26th, 2012
4:23 pm
The ole ball coach is at it again:
Spurrier: “‘Bama had the weakest sked in West; UGA had the weakest on our side. I find it interesting, haven’t seen anybody write that”
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
DwayneL
November 26th, 2012
4:23 pm
I don’t think UGA stands a chance if Bama plays like they’re capable of playing. Here’s another scary thought for you dawg fans….LSU coming to Athens next year! GEAUX TIGERS
kingdaddy
November 26th, 2012
4:23 pm
DIT
At least its an SEC team not another ACC…
RT
November 26th, 2012
4:25 pm
As will all true Dawg fans I will be pulling hard for Georgia and who knows the final score. But I do hope it is a competitive game and that Georgia fights to the end win or lose. You can’t ask for or expect more than that. Total focus few penalties and some big plays with a relentless defensive effort. Go Dawgs
Rodster
November 26th, 2012
4:25 pm
Hey Tide Rising:
The stat’s that you cite are indeed the facts. But I think you just added to Georgia’s karma account with your chest-pounding.
Big Crimson 75
November 26th, 2012
4:25 pm
GtBob 4:07
Meh, it was fine. I find myself rooting against the ACC these days just to see how bad we can get.
——
Nice to see Swafford dump a charter member down the toilet.
I guess the names Len Bias, John Lucas, Gary Williams, Lefty Drisell, Randy White, Stevie Franchise, Juan Dixon, Boomer Esiason, Stan Gelbaugh, Vernon Davis & Dominique Foxworth mean nothing!!
So much for honor & tradition.
kingdaddy
November 26th, 2012
4:26 pm
Roy
Just tell everybody we beat an ACC Divisional Winner…Try not to mention it was Tech, lol…
ugagrad'89
November 26th, 2012
4:28 pm
Tide Rising….you go on and keep believing that we have the 69th ranked rushing defense. Our final two games were against triple option teams. The games were both over at halftime. Do you think the 2nd and 3rd string should be able to hold them down. Do you think the coaches cared how many yards Ga Southern or GT were getting? Stats are for losers…let’s just see who shows up on Saturday. Dawgs win a close one by 3 pts.
The Bear
November 26th, 2012
4:29 pm
@DIT word on the street is FSU fans want him out after the performance againest the Gators.
Old Dawg
November 26th, 2012
4:31 pm
If Auburn offers, he will come. What ACC football coach wouldn’t jump at the chance to go to a real conference?
Jim
November 26th, 2012
4:32 pm
This game IS the national championship! Both Bama and UGA have proven their worthy through a full season in the SEC, which is without question the standard in College Football. Not sure who will win, but should be a good game as both are talented. Either way, let the winner stomp ND and let them know they do not belong with the elite programs any longer. GO BAMA!! ROLL TIDE.
Von Trapp
November 26th, 2012
4:33 pm
Many believe in das Ga Dawgs now. It will be the game of das century for the SEC
ATLWmn
November 26th, 2012
4:36 pm
@George P Burdell: I’m a UGA alum and I can spell “their”. It’s hard to make a coherent argument about the intelligence of others when you don’t even spell check your own writing. (PS it’s spelled “Herschel”). Georgia may have a PhD program in geography, but it also offers one of the top journalism programs in the country and receives accolades for its business school. Why don’t you look a little closer at the majors list? I know it’s so much longer and varied than Tech’s, so I hope you can make it through.
Oh and it’s not the Harvard of the south. It was modeled after Yale, down to the old campus buildings and eventual bulldog mascot. It is arguably the oldest public university in the nation (UNC also likes to claim it). Not an important distinction to you, but worth mentioning.
Moral of the story: don’t make fun of others if you can’t make good arguments. And also, don’t pick fights where there are none. Tech is a good technical institute and UGA is a great university. Tech wins basketball, Georgia wins football. There, we’re even now. Sheesh.
Big Crimson 75
November 26th, 2012
4:37 pm
Jimbo has to be taking into account, prior to Saturday’s loss, his team had 1 loss, yet they were looking up at 4 one-loss SEC teams in the standings(Bama, UGA, Fla & A&M), plus a two-loss SEC team(LSU)!! with another two-loss SEC team(SC) a spot behind them.
That’s why you leave FSU for Aubie.
kingdaddy
November 26th, 2012
4:38 pm
Whats up BC???
This is what we have been waiting for all year my brother. Dawgs and Tide Primetime. Good Luck, hope we win but its a close game so Bama goes Sugar. Can’t see UF jumping either one of us if we keep it close. I don’t know but the SEC as a whole, hasn’t slipped any at all. Look at all the losses in the top 6 SEC teams…How many came from outside the conference??? Oo bad we have to play each other until the bowl games, lol. We would all be undefeated…
Tide Rising
November 26th, 2012
4:43 pm
“you go on and keep believing that we have the 69th ranked rushing defense.”
Well according to the facts you are 69th in the nation against the run. Just the facts sir.
“Our final two games were against triple option teams.”
So.
“The games were both over at halftime.”
Well of course. You were playing a double AA team in GSU and Tech has one of the worst defenses in the nation. Duh!
“Do you think the 2nd and 3rd string should be able to hold them down. Do you think the coaches cared how many yards Ga Southern or GT were getting?”
So those are your excuses? The 3rd teamers, the coaches don’t care, blah blah blah.
“Stats are for losers…let’s just see who shows up on Saturday. Dawgs win a close one by 3 pts.”
The only possible chance UGA has is if they play a perfect game with zero turnovers, no penalties, and hope that Alabama pulls a Florida and turns the ball over 6 times. If you think you can actually play toe to toe physical football with Bama for 60 minutes with turnovers and penalties cancelling out then you are fit for the insane asylum.
Nick
November 26th, 2012
4:44 pm
Pleeease……don’t wear the black jerseys. They scare us.
Snoop
November 26th, 2012
4:44 pm
Rambo is right in that UGA has more talented players this year.
The problem, however, is that Alabama has much better coaching.
Richt and his staff will need some real luck on Saturday to prevail.
Pray for them.
Big Crimson 75
November 26th, 2012
4:45 pm
King — looking forward to the game.
Fla gets the Sugar, perhaps deservedly so.
Since neither Bama nor UGA need the $$$, that’s alright considering Fla will likely play either Kent St or Rutgers in a game no one in the Free World will watch!!
DIT
November 26th, 2012
4:46 pm
After y’all put it that way, I now can see Jimbo leaving. I don’t see Franklin going to UK. That would be a lateral move. Maybe Arkansas????
William Behm
November 26th, 2012
4:47 pm
Ok Mr. Bradley, you successfully picked UGA to beat UF this year when they seemed the big underdog. What is your prediction for this SEC Championship game?
El-Toro GATA
November 26th, 2012
4:48 pm
Tide Rising,
These stats are misleading! there are two Georgia teams, the one before the Florida’s game and the one after. the one before Florida’s game has no chance in beating Bama! yes sir! Bama will run all over them. but the team after the Florida’s game is possessed and in a mission!! I
I honestly think Georgia and Bama D are very close with a little edge for Georgia, the Offenses are close depending on which Murray will show up and also for Bama to lose their top WR this week is not a good sign. BAma has advantage of experience and coaching staff. The loss to south carolina is probably the best thing that happened to Georgia. Go Dawgs
DawginLex
November 26th, 2012
4:48 pm
This game should be awful fun to watch. I’m proud we are there and as has been said, to be the best you have to beat the best.
We have to get Murray out of the pocket and he is going to have to run for some 1st downs and live to see another play. Staying in the pocket all day will not work nor will running up the middle. We have to run enough to keep them honest but the 24 points we have to score to win will need to come from Murray or a turnover by McCarron, which are few.
Win or lose, I’ll be here. No injuries to both sides and no refs screwing things up. Let the kids decide it on the field
Red Stick
November 26th, 2012
4:49 pm
Big Crimson 75
November 26th, 2012
4:37 pm
“Jimbo has to be taking into account, prior to Saturday’s loss, his team had 1 loss, yet they were looking up at 4 one-loss SEC teams in the standings(Bama, UGA, Fla & A&M), plus a two-loss SEC team(LSU)!! with another two-loss SEC team(SC) a spot behind them.
That’s why you leave FSU for Aubie.”
Good point. Also, a lackluster ACC championship game and the possibility of playing Kent St in the Orange Bowl may be factors too.
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
Beast from the East
November 26th, 2012
4:49 pm
There has been a rumor out for about a month that Jimbo is headed to Auburn. I have yet to see it in print, just on the radio and on blogs. The Semis would flip out out! They think they are on par with Bama, OSU, Notre Dame and Michigan as far as tradition. Would love to see it!