Bama Central

Why The Stakes Aren't as High for This Alabama-Georgia Matchup: Just a Minute

With the expanded 12-team playoff, the loser of Saturday's game still has a path to the College Football Playoff.

Katie Windham

Dec 4, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Trey Sanders (6) runs past Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Christopher Smith (29) in the second half during the SEC championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Dec 4, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Trey Sanders (6) runs past Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Christopher Smith (29) in the second half during the SEC championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. / Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Welcome to BamaCentral’s "Just a Minute," a video series featuring BamaCentral's Alabama beat writers. Multiple times a week, the writers will group up to provide their take on a topic concerning the Crimson Tide or the landscape of college sports.

Watch the above video as BamaCentral assistant editor Katie Windham discusses why this Saturday's game between No. 4 Alabama and No. 2 Georgia doesn't have some of the same implications as recent matchups between the two powerhouse programs.

The biggest game in college football this weekend will be on Saban Field inside Bryant-Denny Stadium between No. 4 Alabama and No. 2 Georgia. The two teams have had some epic matchups over the last decade or two, often with a spot in the BCS championship game or College Football Playoff on the line.

Under former head coach Nick Saban, Alabama had the majority of the success in those matchups. Saban was 8-2 against Georgia while at Alabama and 5-1 against Kirby Smart, his former assistant.

Now, Kalen DeBoer faces his first SEC game and first test against the Bulldogs. The good news for DeBoer (and Smart) is that this game doesn't have as many CFP implications as past matchups. With this being the first season of the expanded, 12-team playoff, a loss in this game will have almost no effect on either team's chances of getting in the playoff.

That does not mean that this game doesn't matter. Both teams want to win this game, and it should be a great game inside Bryant-Denny. And the winner will be in a great position for a playoff spot moving forward.

See also: Five Things From Film That'll Factor Into Georgia Alabama Matchup

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Katie Windham
KATIE WINDHAM

Katie Windham is the assistant editor for BamaCentral, primarily covering football, basketball gymnastics and softball. She is a two-time graduate of the University of Alabama and has covered a variety of Crimson Tide athletics since 2019 for outlets like The Tuscaloosa News, The Crimson White and the Associated Press before joining BamaCentral full time in 2021. Windham has covered College Football Playoff games, the Women's College World Series, NCAA March Madness, SEC Tournaments and championships in multiple sports. 

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