Each team comes into the game not fully healthy
We have more intel on health this season than we ever have before with the addition of mandated injury reports leading into SEC games. This week's injury report gave some clarity heading into this monstrous clash.
Both teams are a little banged up heading into this game. For Georgia Edge-Rusher Mykel Williams was injured in Week 1 against Clemson and has not played since, star Left guard Tate Ratledge will be out for this game after injuring his knee and ankle last week against Kentucky, and Running-back Roderick Robinson is out as well as he continues to attempt come back from a toe injury. Defensive Linemen Warren Brinson and Jordan Hall are both also dealing with injuries and their statuses are up in the air for Saturday. A recent addition to the injury report for Georgia has been Receiver London Humphreys who is reportedly dealing with Mono and will miss Saturday's game. Officially on the injury report Roderick Robinson, Tate Ratledge, and London Humphreys are out, Mykel Williams, Jordan Hall, and reserve receiver Sacovie White are questionable, and then Warren Brinson is probable.
For Alabama, the main injury everyone was keeping an eye on was star safety Malachi Moore, who went into Concussion protocol during the Wisconsin game. However, Moore was not on the injury report and thus appears to be a full-go for Saturday which is big news for the Tide. The three Alabama players on the injury report were edge-rusher Qua Russaw (lower body), Linebacker Jeremiah Alexander (unknown), and Running back Richard Young (lower body). All three players are probable.
Injuries, on both teams, have played roles in these team's matchups in the past and hopefully it does not play a role this time around.
The trenches will be an important part of Alabama versus Georgia this weekend
Both Alabama and Georgia like to pride themselves on their work in the trenches. One of the biggest reasons that these two teams have combined for 5 of the last 9 national championships is because of their offensive and defensive lines.
That's why it was such a surprise early last season when Alabama's offensive line struggled. However, that was eventually fixed and in the SEC Championship Game Alabama's OLine dominated Georgia's defensive front. Georgia will need to flip that in this game.
Alabama got good news on their offensive line in the Wisconsin game with the return of star Left Tackle Kadyn Proctor. He is the anchor for the Tide OLine and it allowed Tyler Booker to move back to his natural position of guard. Alabama also saw big improvements when Elijah Pritchett replaced Wilkin Formby at the other tackle spot in the 4th quarter of the USF game.
For the Dawgs, the injury to Ratledge saw Micah Morris replace him in the lineup. We could also see some more shuffling as highly touted Sophomore Monroe Freeling replaced Earnest Greene during the Kentucky game and helped swing things in the Dawgs' favor.
Improved health on the DLine would be a welcome sight for both teams. Russaw returning on the Edge would be a big boost to an Alabama defensive line that features the likes of Tim Smith, Tim Keenan III, Jah-Marien Latham, left tackle Overton, and Jahiem Oatis.
For the Dawgs, their health will determine a lot of what their defensive line rotation looks like on Saturday. If Mykel Williams is good to go, that's a major boost as one of Georgia's most talented defenders. Warren Brinson and Jordan Hall will both be contributors as well if they are able to play. Edge Rusher Jalon Walker (also plays off-ball some as well) and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins have been Georgia's most impactful players on the DLine so far this season. The unit also features Nazir Stackhouse, Christen Miller, Damon Wilson II, and Gabe Harris Jr.
I do not not think it's a surprise for me to say that whoever wins the trenches will have a good chance to win the game.