The Georgia Bulldogs looked like two different teams against the Alabama Crimson Tide. The first half Dawgs fell behind 28-0 and had a clumsy safety.
In the second half, Georgia looked like a national championship contender. The Bulldogs slowed down Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe outside of two plays in the second half. Playing Milroe conservatively made a big difference for the UGA defense.
Offensively, quarterback Carson Beck connected with a variety of pass catchers as he helped Georgia cut into Alabama’s lead. Beck and Georgia converted five fourth downs, but ultimately failed to punch it into the end zone on Georgia’s final drive.
Georgia overcame a lot to even make it close against Alabama, but four turnovers is far too many against an elite team.
Winner: Safety Dan Jackson
Georgia safety Dan Jackson looked fast and played one of his best games in recent memory against Alabama. Jackson finished with 10 tackles, which was the most of any UGA player. The senior also picked off Jalen Milroe.
Loser: Carson Beck’s turnovers
Carson Beck had avoided turning the ball over in Georgia’s first three games. That changed against Alabama. He threw three interceptions and had a costly fumble. One of the interceptions was not his fault (he has a miscommunication with Arian Smtih).
Winner: Wide receiver Dillon Bell
Dillon Bell hauled in five catches for 100 yards and a touchdown. Bell also scored a rushing touchdown. His 67-yard receiving touchdown briefly gave Georgia a lead in the fourth quarter.
Loser: Georgia’s tackling
Georgia’s defense looked awful in one on one tackling situations against Alabama. Yes, quarterback Jalen Milroe is a great player, but he should not have been able to escape tackles that many times.
Kirby Smart lamented the Dawgs’ tackling on Ryan Williams’ 75-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
“But you’ve got to tackle,” said Smart. “You’ve got to get him on the ground, make him snap it again, and we had momentum to make him drive it through. But we didn’t get him on the ground, and that’s the biggest fatal flaw of that play.”
Winner: Wide receiver Arian Smith and second half Carson Beck
Both Arian Smith and Carson Beck played so much better in the second half. Smith, who had a key drop in the first half and the previously mentioned miscommunication, which led to an interception, finished the game with six receptions for 132 yards and a touchdown.
Georgia has to feel good about its wide receiver room after the second half. The same goes for quarterback Carson Beck, who thrived in the second half despite facing continuous obvious passing situations. Beck looked like a first round NFL draft pick in the second half after another slow start.