Free Pick: National Championship Game 1/10/22

No.1 ALABAMA 12-1 vs. No.3 GEORGIA at Indianapolis

This is a rematch between two teams that played for the SEC Championship the first Saturday in December. We all know that Alabama smoked the heavily favored Bulldogs 41-24, in a game most of us are still trying to figure out. Was that game a one-time fluke where everything went Alabama’s way, or was Georgia overrated all year long by the experts? We are going to find out Monday night in Indianapolis. Let’s look at some matchups:

OFFENSE:

QUARTERBACK:

• Alabama: Bryce Young: He completed (68%) of his passes for 4,503 yards and 46 touchdowns with only 5 interceptions. Obviously, these are amazing statistics. He is the best player on the field for either team. He threw for 421 yards and 3 touchdowns in the previous game.
• Georgia: Stetson Bennett: He hasn’t been bad by any means, but can’t stack up to Young. He completed 64% of his passes for 2,638 yards for 27 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He also can run the ball if needed. His job is to do what he is capable of doing and not get caught trying to keep up with Young.
• You have to go with Young. ADVANTAGE: ALABAMA

RUNNING BACKS:

• Alabama: Brian Robinson,Jr: He rushed for 1,321 yards and 14 touchdowns and is top form after torching Cincinnati for 204 yards in the semifinal game. He is the typical Alabama running back with a combination of power and speed.
• Georgia: Zamir White and James Cook: The Bulldogs feature several runners but these two carry most of the load. White has 780 yards for and 10 touchdowns and Cook is right behind him and is a big threat catching balls out of the backfield.
• I’ve never liked a backfield by committee and Robinson is the best back. ADVANTAGE: ALABAMA

WIDE RECEIVERS:

• Alabama: Jameson Williams, Slade Bolden, Cameron Latu, and Ja’Corey Brooks: The Crimson Tide had the clear advantage in this category until John Metchie with down with an injury. That was a big blow, but they still have Williams and he might be enough. He has 75 catches for 1,507 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was one of the difference makers is the first game between these two teams.
• Georgia: Brock Bowers, Ladd McConkey, and Jermaine Burton: This bunch is very talented but they just don’t have the starpower that the Alabama receivers have.
• ADVANTAGE ALABAMA

OFFENSIVE LINE:

• Alabama: The offensive line is solid but they have struggled at times and they have allowed 37 sacks. This number could be even higher were it not for Young’s scrambling ability.
• Georgia: The Bulldogs have been dominant upfront all year long, despite a lot of injuries. They have given up only 11 sacks and Georgia has rushed for an average of 5.3 yards per carry.
• ADVANTAGE: GEORGIA

DEFENSE:

DEFENSIVE LINE:

• Alabama: As usual, the Tide have great defensive linemen. They are just as good as Georgia against the run, but they don’t get the recognition that Georgia does. Most people would think that Georgia would have better stats, but that simply isn’t the case. Alabama has 52 sacks, Georgia 45, Alabama has held opponents to 82.3 rushing yards per game, Georgia 82.4. Get the picture.
• Georgia: The Bulldogs have dominating players upfront. They are a disruptive, massive, dominating group, who can completely influence a game. However, in the first meeting, they had zero sacks and were a non-factor in the game.
• ADVANTAGE: Neither

LINEBACKERS:

• Alabama: They have Henry To’oTo’o with 106 tackles and Will Robinson with 34 tackles for loss and 18 sacks. When you add in the others, they are strong as anybody.
• Georgia: They might have the best defensive player in football with linebacker Nakobe Dean. He was a one-man wrecking crew against Michigan last Saturday and has other teammates that are as good as it get.
• ADVANTAGE: GEORGIA

SECONDARY:

• Alabama: The Alabama secondary is talented and has been consistent. They have amassed 15 interceptions and held teams to 218 passing yards per game.
• Georgia: The Georgia secondary hadn’t been challenged until Alabama torched them for 421 yards in the SEC Championship game. But it is hard to wipe that out of one’s memory.
• ADVANTAGE: ALABAMA

COACHING:

Nick Saban vs. Kirby Smart: ADVANTAGE ALABAMA

• Total Team Points: Alabama 24.5 Georgia 27.5
• Over/Under Combined Team Points: 52.5
• Georgia is a 2.5-point favorite

DUDES WHO BET SPORTS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PICK: Take the team that has the best coach and the best quarterback when everything else is fairly equal. ALABAMA +2.5