Alabama makes critical plays in SEC Championship win over UGA

Three drives, three straight disasters for Georgia: how the SEC Championship got out of reach for UGA.

The Alabama Crimson Tide made the biggest plays of the game in their 41-24 SEC Championship win over the Georgia Bulldogs.

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young likely won the Heisman Trophy thanks partially to his SEC Championship performance against the No. 1-ranked defense in the country. Young extended several plays with his legs and was the best and most important player in the game.

Bryce Young connected with star wide receiver Jameson Williams for two 50+ yard touchdowns. Williams had to step up as Alabama’s No. 2 wide receiver, John Metchie, suffered a leg injury late in the first half.

Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Jameson Williams burns Georgia for a long touchdown. Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps Young’s biggest play of the game came late in the first half when he recovered his own fumble despite begin surrounded by a swarm of Georgia defenders.

Defensively, the Crimson Tide stepped up and contained Stetson Bennett and the Georgia offense. Will Anderson and Alabama stopped Georgia in the red zone twice.

Alabama’s first red zone stop came in the first half, when the defensive back DeMarcco Hellams intercepted Stetson Bennett. On Georgia’s next offensive drive, the Bulldogs move the ball into the red zone once again. This time, Georgia was stopped after failing to complete a pass on fourth-and-nine.

UGA could have settled for a field goal, but that wouldn’t have changed the game like some of these other plays. The Dawgs needs a touchdown to win.

Alabama put the nail in Georgia’s coffin with defensive back Jordan Battle’s pick-six of Stetson Bennett on Georgia’s offensive next drive. Battle’s interception game Alabama a 38-17 lead.

These three offensive drives is how Georgia lost their offensive momentum in the middle of the game. Alabama deserves credit, but with a few more plays Georgia could have made the game much more interesting.

Overall, Georgia will likely have to beat Michigan or Cincinnati to have another chance to play Alabama in the College Football Playoff.

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