Georgia vs Alabama: Bulldogs Make Statement with 20-17 Win Over Crimson Tide

Most of the college football world circled Saturday’s matchup between the Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide as a litmus test to determine who is the best team in the nation right now. Fittingly, Georgia and Alabama showcased in Week 6 exactly why everyone expects these programs to meet again in the SEC Championship Game and potentially the College Football Playoff.

Let’s dive into our winners and losers from Georgia vs Alabama, with the Crimson Tide headed home with a 20-17 win.

Winner: Dwight Phillips Jr, RB, Georgia Bulldogs

With starter Nate Frazier unable to go on Saturday night, the Bulldogs had to put more on the shoulders of running back Dwight Phillips Jr. The Georgia native was one of the biggest bright spots on the field. He did the same things fans saw a few weeks ago against Oklahoma (84 yards on five carries), ripping off an explosive run (31 yards) and providing the big-play ability that the Bulldogs otherwise couldn’t find on the ground. Phillips was instrumental to Georgia’s ability to sustain drives tonight and get into scoring range. He then came up big in the fourth quarter, with runs of 9 and 22 yards to get into Alabama territory. The junior made the most of his opportunities tight, delivering his first 100-yard game in college.

Loser: Georgia Bulldogs’ Run Defense

Last year, the Bulldogs defense limited Alabama to a 3.1 yards-per-carry average without a single player reaching 50 rushing yards. Now compare that to tonight, where Crimson Tide running back Trae’shawn Brown ripped off a 58-yard run that was immediately followed up by a 22-yard touchdown. Playing man coverage and failing to contain Keelon Russell also allowed Alabama’s dual-threat quarterback to pick up over 50 yards on scrambles, with many of those coming on third down. Needless to say, Kirby Smart and Glenn Schumann know what needs to be corrected for Georgia to reach the goals it set for itself this season.

Winner: Kalen DeBoer, Alabama Crimson Tide HC

That fourth-down call before the half took guts. If it backfires and Georgia stops the Crimson Tide, taking a 10-7 lead into halftime, head coach Kalen DeBoer is ripped for the decision and questions are raised about whether or not he’s cut out for this job. This is why he’s paid the big bucks. DeBoer’s call paid off, allowing Alabama to become the first team to lead against Georgia all season. We also have to tip our cap to DeBoer for drawing up a game plan that got some big plays out of the run game and made the most of chances on third down and in the red zone. This might not have been an offensive clinic from the Crimson Tide, but DeBoer did a great job given the opponent and stakes.

Loser: Sacovie White-Helton, PR, Georgia Bulldogs

It’s the little things that can prove so costly in matchups like Georgia vs Alabama. Bulldogs punt returner Sacovie White-Helton made some bad decisions back there tonight, but none worse than his attempt to field the punt at the 9-yard line of a bounce that deflected off him. If not for a teammate’s quick reaction, the Crimson Tide get the football back at the 11-yard line and probably score moments later.

Winner: Chris Cole, LB, Georgia Bulldogs

Have a night, Chris Cole. Georgia’s standout linebacker seemed to live in Alabama’s backfield at times on Saturday night, finishing with a team-high 2.5 tackles for loss, all the while recording a sack with five solo tackles and also creating pressure that helped set up his teammates for big plays. The Bulldogs defense certainly had its fair share of problems defensively tonight, but Cole constantly found ways to stand out, whether that showed up on the box score or not.

Loser: Dijon Lee Jr, DB, Alabama Crimson Tide

Fans can be upset at some questionable calls tonight, but the most embarrassing thing to happen to the Crimson Tide on Saturday night was the penalty by defensive back Dijon Lee Jr. Alabama at least had a chance to get the football back, with a tackle putting Georgia at 3rd-and-2 from its 34-yard line with 2 minutes remaining. Unfortunately for DeBoer and Russell, the chance at a comeback was taken away from them because Lee couldn’t control his emotions. Well away from where the action actually happened and well past the whistle being blown, Lee struck wide receiver Craig Dandridge and then hit him again. If the refs had somehow missed the first blow to the head, they certainly caught the second. Lee’s bonehead mistake gifted the Bulldogs the automatic first down and the win.

Winner: Keelon Russell, QB, Alabama Crimson Tide

Was it a perfect game for Keelon Russell? Not by any means. With that said, Russell kept drives alive for the Crimson Tide entirely with his legs, both on scrambles that single-handedly picked up third-down conversions and with moves out of the pocket to extend plays and hit his pass-catchers downfield. We also have to give Russell some credit for performing well when the Alabama offensive line didn’t protect him effectively on Saturday night. Let’s also mention that he didn’t have Ryan Coleman-Williams for much of the game due to an injury. Russell isn’t a finished product, but he continues to show the tools that will eventually make him the best quarterback in college football.

Loser: Officiating

Should defensive pass interference have been called on Alabama’s final drive? Probably. Holding calls also seemed excessive in this game, taking away some big plays. The big problem here is that the officials became the storyline for Saturday night, casting a dark cloud over what otherwise was an entertaining Georgia vs. Alabama duel. Refs are never the sole reason that a team loses, but the officiating in college football remains a frustrating element that is taking away from a great product.