The Georgia Bulldogs are finally National Champions after a long 41 year wait last Monday night in Indianapolis. The Bulldogs last won the National Championship in 80-81 led by Freshman Heisman Trophy running back Herschel Walker when the Bulldogs won 17-10 against Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl on Jan 1 1981 to complete their undefeated season coached by Vince Dooley. The Bulldogs of course beat Alabama to win this seasons National Championship and the Dawgs over the years had some tough losses against Alabama in either the SEC Championship game or the 2017-18 National Championship game which ended in complete heartbreak.
Throughout the 2021 College Football season the 2 best teams were Georgia and Alabama. The Bulldogs were undefeated heading into the SEC Championship Game against Alabama while the Tide were a one loss team. Georgia had a smothering defense with a potent offense while Alabama had a potent offense led by the Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Bryce Young and a reliable defense. Alabama had the one loss on a last second field at College Station on a last second field goal to former Nick Saban assistant Jimbo Fisher who now coaches at Texas A&M. Georgia played it’s worse game of the season losing 41-24 in the SEC Championship game in Atlanta but we knew both of these teams would make the College Football Playoff with the records they had. Alabama crushed Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl 27-6 while Georgia crushed 34-11 in the Orange Bowl to setup the rematch.
The rematch was set for January 10th in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Field, #1 Alabama vs #3 Georgia and yes we know we know 2 teams from the same conference the SEC were playing for the National Championship but they were clearly head and shoulders above everyone else. Alabama and Georgia throughout most of the game played a field goal battle as it was a 9-6 game. Near the end of the 3rd quarter Georgia finally got it going on offense. James Cook got a key 67 yard run which setup the Bulldogs first touchdown of the night as Zamir White put the Dawgs up 13-9. After the Tide closed to within 1 point and then after a Georgia fumble the Tide took the lead in the 4th quarter when Bryce Young found Cameron Latu for Alabama’s first touchdown of the night to give them an 18-13 lead. For there next two drives on offense the Dawgs found the end zone. Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett finally got into a grove. Bennett found Adonai Mitchell on a beautiful 40 yard pass to give the Dawgs the lead for good at 19-18. After Georgia forced Alabama to go 3 and out the Dawgs scored another touchdown as Bennett found Brock Bowers to give Georiga a 26-18 lead.
The star studded Georgia defense finished the Tide for good when Kelee Ringo intercepted Bryce Young and returned it 79 yards to ice the game for the Georgia Bulldogs who were on the cusp of there first national championship in 41 years. Bulldogs won 33-18 with a dominant defense and a efficient offense. This Georgia defense was so damm good during the 2021 season where there front 7 was dominant. Georgia had some studs on that defense with the likes of Jordan Davis, Devonte Wyatt, Jalen Carter, Travon Walker on the defensive line while Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker, Channing Tindall, Nolan Smith, Adam Anderson, and Robert Beal. After the season ended Georgia on average gave up only 10.2 points a game. In 75 straight games Alabama scored at least 2 or more touchdowns a game, the Dawgs held them to only one. Dawgs held Alabama to less than 100 yards rushing and sacked Bryce Young 4 times. Yeah I know Alabama came into the game without one of it’s best wide receivers in John Metchie and then Jameson Williams suffered a game ending injury as well but I still give credit to Georgia even though Alabama didn’t have as strong as an offensive line as in years past.
Kirby Smart a former Georgia Bulldogs cornerback in the mid 90s finally beat his former boss. Kirby Smart was the defensive coordinator for Nick Saban at Alabama from 2007-2015 which produced 4 National Championships. Kirby Smart came into the National Championship Game 0-3 against Saban, but they finally broke through. Stetson Bennett was able to beat everyone else but Alabama, he finally beat Alabama and played a really good game against the Tide. Bennett became the first walk on quarterback to beat a Nick Saban team since 1997 when Brian Griese and Michigan beat Michigan State where Nick Saban was at that time. Congrats to Kirby Smart on finally winning a National Championship as a head coach and this only the beginning for the Georgia Bulldogs.