Seven keys for Alabama vs Georgia

Third down

One of the biggest script flips in the SEC Championship Game last year was Georgia's struggles on 3rd down after being arguably the best 3rd down team in the country on both sides of the ball a year ago. Georgia led the nation in 3rd down percentage going into the SEC Championship Game but were held to just 4 for 12 on 3rd down by Alabama's defense.

Georgia has struggled mightily on 3rd downs this season without usual 3rd down weapons Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey. The Dawgs are converting just 39.4% of their 3rd downs this season (74th nationally), a stark drop from the 54.2% they converted last season (ended up second nationally).

For Alabama, they are converting 52.5% of 3rd downs this season, which ranks 14th best in the country. Alabama finished 22nd nationally in 3rd down percentage at 45.1% a year ago.

Alabama has also been the best 3rd-down defense in the country this year, holding opponents to conversions just 16.3% of the time (8/49). Georgia meanwhile ranks 81st in the country at a 39% conversion rate allowed.

So far this year, Alabama has a clear advantage on 3rd down between these two teams, a stark difference from last season. Can Georgia flip the script this year like Alabama was able too in the SEC Championship Game last year?

Special teams

Alabama and Georgia arguably have the two best Kicker-Punter duos in the country. For Alabama, Graham Nicholson is the reigning Lou Groza Award winner (at Miami (OH) last season). He has not made a Field Goal yet this season (mainly because Alabama's offense has been scoring so many Touchdowns), but is 60/72 on Field Goals in his career and was 27 for 28 last year.

Nicholson is 0/1 this year with a miss from 46 yards against Wisconsin. Nicholson has a career-long of 52 yards. At punter, James Burnip is averaging 46.53 yards per punt, has placed six inside the 20, and has yet to have a touchback this season. Burnip was a second team All-SEC selection last year. Conor Talty handles Kickoffs for Alabama, and he has converted 14-of-24 for touchbacks.

For Georgia, Peyton Woodring is 6/6 on FG's this year after going 21/25 in his Freshman season last year. Woodring has a career long of 55 yards, set in Week 1 against Clemson. Brett Thorson has been a weapon at punter for several years now (even if rarely used).

This season he is averaging 49.45 yards per punt, placing 7 of 11 punts inside the 20 (3 touchbacks). Thorson has not given up a single punt return yard since 2022. Woodring is Georgia's main Kickoff Specialist. He has 12 touchbacks on 18 attempts this season.

At returner, Kendrick Law and Emmanuel Henderson handle kickoff return duties for Alabama. At punt returner, Cole Adams started the season at the starter, but has been battling an injury. If he can't go on Saturday, the other players we could see back deep are Jaylen Mbakwe and Ryan Williams.

For Georgia, their punt returner is speedster Anthony Evans III. Evans made his name known last year in the SEC Championship Game with a 28-yard return against Alabama that helped spark Georgia's comeback attempt that eventually fell short. Georgia has yet to register a kick return this season, but Dillon Bell and Trevor Etienne are usually back deep.