The Blue Board

Gonna be a fun week boys. Two SEC heavyweights, ranked 2nd and 3rd going at it - what else do you want? Let's take a look at the matchups, shall we? I tried to be as non-Gump as possible!

Offense
Quarterback - edge: Alabama
But only slightly based on McCarron's experience. Winning a national championship with more big-game experience and the benefit of Bama's OL gives AJ a slight nod here. However, Murray's play will likely be the difference in the game one way or the other, and he's playing very, very well right now. Both are solid players, but AJ's gotten it done when it matters.

Running back - edge: Even
I think Georgia's combo is probably better in terms of overall running ability/athleticism, but I think Bama's are more complete in pass protection, which will be huge in this game. Don't see an edge here unless tipping it Ga's way due to Yeldon fumbling in two crucial moments this year. Still think this is even though.

Wide receivers - edge: Even
Both have young kids with big-time, Sunday afternoon potential (Malcolm Mitchell - UGA, Amari Cooper - Bama), and both have veterans who have made plays in big moments (Tavarres King - UGA, Kevin Norwood - Bama). Injuries have plagued both units.

Offensive line - edge: Bama
To me, this is the clearest edge on either side of the ball, and it could be the decisive one. Although UGA will counter with a good DL, it isn't better than LSU's. Aside from a bad 3rd quarter vs the Tigers, the Tide moved the ball well (166 yards rushing) against the nation's 10th-best rush defense. Barrett Jones should be able to handle Georgia NT John Jenkins, and Chance Warmack may be the best player on the field regardless of position.

Georgia's center, David Andrews, will probably struggle against Bama's NT, Jesse Williams. He's going to need help. True freshman RT John Theus will have to be ready to pick up the different blitz looks Bama throws at him.

Both teams have good TEs who could be effective.

Defense
Defensive line - edge: Georgia
Both teams have really tough NTs and rotate a lot of players, and Georgia is probably a tad deeper here. It will be interesting to see if Georgia continues to use Geathers and Jenkins together at the same time to get bigger and tougher up front against a great Bama OL.

Linebackers - edge: Georgia
But not as lopsided as Bacarri Rambo probably thinks. Jarvis Jones and Alec Ogletree are athletic, great players, and obviously the Tide will have to account for where #29 is at all times. He's been a game changer. Bama counters with a rotation of CJ Mosley, Nico Johnson and Trey DePriest inside, depending on formations. Tons of big-game experience there. Which unit will hold up better against the other's OL, though? The Tide will need a great game from OLB Adrian Hubbard.

Secondary - edge: Even
Dee Milliner will be the best corner on the field. Rambo is a head-hunter. Robert Lester is a 3-yr starter for the Tide at safety. Bama's secondary was "exposed," some say, against LSU and aTm. Both QBs had the games of their lives, and Manziel does things Murray can't do. The Tide is not as elite as a unit as they were last year, but much better than they showed in those two games. This matchup - against Georgia's WRs - is going to be even IMO.

Special teams - edge: Bama
Although Bama's coverage units have been shaky at times this year, they tend to come up very big with everything on the line. It will be interesting to see how the Tide does against UGA's punt coverage unit. I've seen Georgia use too many backups and club-footed white boys on the the punt team - that cost them against SC this year and vs LSU last year.

Coaching - edge: Even
My Gump brethren are going to laugh at me here. Yes, I like Saban-Smart vs Richt-Bobo. A lot. But I also think Grantham will have that defense ready against Nussmeier. I don't think this is the big advantage that most Gumps think it will be. I think it's a wash.

Intangibles - edge: Georgia
Although it's apples and oranges to an extent, this Georgia team reminds me of the Bama teams of 08-09. We got there one year, weren't ready, couldn't get it done. Came back the next year hungrier, motivated, got it done. Can Georgia do that? Personally, as a program, I think the Tide is more battle-tested and a tougher team mentally. Just my opinion. And I think Georgia is here largely on athletic talent.

But ... hungry, motivated cats are very, very dangerous, which is why I give Georgia the edge on intangibles. Which Georgia team will be there? The one that looked anything but championship-like vs South Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky, or the one that has steam-rolled everyone since Florida? My gut tells me the latter.

Overall pick: If the Tide starts fast, executes and avoids turnovers and punches Georgia right in the mouth from the get-go, something South Carolina did ... and not allow the Dawgs to get into any kind of rhythm, then Georgia could be in big trouble, no matter how much momentum Georgia has coming off wins over Southern, Ole Miss, Auburn, etc. But does the Tide have its mojo back? I think so.

Alabama 27
Georgia 17