The matchup for the SEC title is set. No. 1 Georgia (12-0, 8-0 SEC) will take on No. 8 Alabama (11-1, 8-0 SEC) for the conference crown on Saturday in Atlanta. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised on CBS.
Both teams enter the matchup banged up. Alabama starting running back Jase McClelan will miss the game due to a foot injury suffered in the Iron Bowl last week, per a report from Bama Central’s Austin Hannon.
On the flip side, the Bulldogs are working to get back multiple key players back who missed the Georgia Tech game. Starters Tate Ratledge (knee), Ladd McConkey (ankle) and Brock Bowers (ankle), along with wideout Rara Thomas (foot), were expected to take the field after being held out last week, but comments on Thursday by head coach Kirby Smart indicate there is still more to find out regarding their injuries.
When asked about the injured offensive starters, Smart replied: “I’m trying to figure that out myself.”
“Yeah, great question because I’m trying to figure that out myself. I don’t have a lot more answers now than I had on Monday. They have not been able to do a lot. Each one has worked kind of independently. Tate has done some drill work, some 11-on-11 stuff, Brock has sprinkled in some of that. The other guys have been able to run and do some things.
But we’re going to find out today (Thursday) what their availability is, to be honest. It’s tough because it bothers me that people have said out there that we sat these guys for the last game. That wasn’t the case at all. They couldn’t go.
I don’t know if they’re going to be able to go in this game. It’s just unfortunate to have those kind of injuries, especially four starters on offense.”
Starting linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson hasn’t played since the Missouri game due to a fractured forearm and redshirt freshman Julian Humphrey hasn’t played since Ole Miss due to a shoulder injury.
Here’s our updated Georgia injury report: