GEORGIA (13-1) VS. ALABAMA (12-1)
Site: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta.
Kickoff: Monday, 8 p.m. TV: ESPN.
Line: Alabama by 3 ½.
All-time series: Alabama leads 38-24-3.
Last meeting: Alabama 38, Georgia 10 (2015).
GEORGIA
Coach: Kirby Smart (2nd season, 21-6).
All-time postseason: 31-19-3.
CFP semifinals: Beat Oklahoma 54-48 (2OT) in Rose Bowl.
Draft spotlight: LB Lorenzo Carter. There are freak athletes who look the part. And then there are guys like Lorenzo Carter. He is now a feature, if not THE feature, defender on that top-tier defense. Carter is a physical player who will play fast and aggressive in a variety of linebacker roles. Read full report here.
Other Bulldogs to watch: RB Sony Michel, RB Nick Chubb, TE Jeb Blazevich, LB Davin Bellamy, *LB Roquan Smith.
Bulldog Snaps: Georgia has lost its past three meetings vs. Alabama, including a 32-28 setback in the 2012 SEC Championship game. … Smart spent nine years on Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama, including eight as defensive coordinator, before getting a call from his alma mater. … Michel and Chubb teamed for 326 rushing yards vs. Oklahoma, making them the most potent duo in FBS history. Their career totals of 8,259 yards moved past SMU’s Eric Dickerson and Craig James. … UGa’s Rose Bowl comeback was their seventh in the final quarter under Smart’s tutelage. They also did it vs. Notre Dame in September. … The defense has allowed a total of just 24 second-half points over their past four games.
ALABAMA
Coach: Nick Saban (11th season, 131-20; overall 22nd season, 222-62-1).
All-time postseason: 39-25-3.
CFP semifinals: Beat Clemson 24-6 in Sugar Bowl.
Draft spotlight: LB Rashaan Evans. A two-year starter who has played both inside and outside, Evans can project to the weak side in the NFL and possibly the middle in some schemes. Though he may not earn the same grade as some of the Tide’s better LBs, he may be one of the safest picks in this class. Read full report here.
Other Crimson Tide to watch: *RB Bo Scarborough, *WR Calvin Ridley, *NG Da’Ron Payne, *CB Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB Anthony Averett.
Tide Readings: Since the BCS system arrived in 1998, Alabama is the only team to play for a national title without winning a conference crown. It happened in 2012, beating LSU for the crown, and again now. … The Tide’s third straight national title game is just the third time that’s happened since the past 25 years. Nebraska played in three straight from 1993-95; Florida State did it from 1998-00. … Evans and punter J.K. Scott are set for their 7th College Football Playoff contests over four years. … It’s the final game for Jeremy Pruitt as Alabama’s defensive coordinator. He’s been doing double duty in recent weeks since being named head coach at Tennessee.
* underclass draft prospect