National Championship Game: 5 keys to victory for Georgia to beat Alabama
By John Buhler
All that stands in the way of Georgia winning its first national championship since 1980 is Alabama … again.
The college football world gets to see the latest installment of the sport’s hammer vs. nail rivalry, as the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide will take on the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs in the College Football Playoff National Championship.
While there is no doubt about these being the two best teams in college football this year, Alabama has won the last seven meetings vs. Georgia, including the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta only a month ago. Though Georgia opens as the slight favorite over the Crimson Tide, the Dawgs will have to do a few things in order for 1980 to finally become just a thing of the past.
If Georgia does these five things, the Bulldogs will have won their third national championship.
Georgia football: 5 keys to victory vs. Alabama in national championship game
5. Stetson Bennett IV must find Brock Bowers early and often in passing game
Though starting quarterback Stetson Bennett IV had the best game of his Georgia career in the Orange Bowl victory over Michigan last week, he will need his supporting cast to help pick him up on more than one occasion. While Bennett should be the unquestioned starter for the game, the best way to silence his critics is to find freshman phenom tight end Brock Bowers early and often.
The fact Bowers did not win the Mackey, or even was a finalist for the award, is nothing short of blasphemy. He is the greatest export from Napa Valley since wine. Fast and incredibly physical, it is like watching Rob Gronkowski at his New England Patriots apex, but in college uniform. Bowers is a total mismatch for any defense, so look for Bennett to find his safety valve to build confidence.
Minus the two interceptions, Bennett played very well vs. Alabama the last time around. Maybe the third time will be the charm for The Mailman vs. the dreaded Crimson Tide?