Game Three: 1992 Alabama Crimson Tide (13-0) vs 2005 Georgia Bulldogs (10-3)
Tale of the tape:
'92 Alabama Crimson Tide:
Points Per Game: 28
Points Allowed Per Game: 9
Avg. Margin of Victory: 19
Key wins: #10 Florida, #16 Ole Miss, #12 Tennessee, #23 Mississippi State, #3 Miami
Losses: None
'05 Georgia Bulldogs:
Points Per Game: 30
Points Allowed Per Game: 16
Avg. Margin of Victory: 18
Key wins: #6 LSU
Losses: #12 Florida, #14 Auburn, #5 West Virginia
Argument for Alabama:
The '92 Crimson Tide won the National
Championship with a conservative offense and a devastating defense.
Nearly every Bama starter on defense was ultimately drafted into the NFL. Led by
the famous "Book-ends" John Copeland and Eric Curry at DE and defensive
backs in George Teague, Sam Shade, Antonio Langham and Tommy Johnson,
this defense would keep them in any game, against any foe. Offensively,
Jay Barker called the signals, but was rarely given the chance to go
vertical. Skill players like WRs David Palmer and Prince Wimbley
combined with RBs Derrick Lassic, Chris Anderson and Sherman Williams
would lead the charge. If the Tide defense shows up and the offense
finds creative ways to get the ball in Palmer's hands, this game could
be over early.
Argument for Georgia:
These Georgia Bulldogs won 10 games
in '05. It was their fourth straight 10 win season. Led by the model of
efficiency at QB in DJ Shockley, the UGA air attack could get the Dawgs
rolling early. Four Bulldogs ran for at least 300 yards (including a
versatile Shockley), but Thomas Brown was the go-to back. At wideout,
Bryan McClendon led the team in receiving yards, but Mohamed Massaquoi
was the most talented, even as a freshman. DJ also had a beast of a TE
in Leonard Pope to throw to, and he did, often. Defensively, the
secondary was talented. If UGA wants this game, Tra Battle and Demario
Minter need to put the pressure on Jay Barker and the Tide receivers.
If the front seven with players like Quentin Moses, Brandon Miller and
Charles Johnson can bring the heat and force some turnovers, they may
keep Georgia in it long enough for Shockley to take over.
How it Plays Out:
The entire 1st quarter plays out like a
couple of teams feeling each other out. Aside from a 42 yard Michael
Proctor field goal for the Tide, neither team finds a way to sniff the
other team's end zone. Both offenses have turnovers, but neither can
capitalize. Antonio Langham picked off a DJ Shockley deep ball as DJ
didn't recognize that Massaquoi was double teamed. Tra Battle jarred a
Jay Barker pass loose from Prince Wimbley's arms after he had taken two
steps up the field.
To start the 2nd quarter, the Bulldogs
looked to the ground game. Thomas Brown found a little success on the
left side of the offensive line, and broke a 28 yarder on a 2nd and 8.
Shockley found a way to get consective first downs with his legs, and a
third with his arm. Finally, with 7:43 left in the 2nd, DJ hit Leonard
Pope with what was essentially a jump ball that his 6'-8" 250lb frame
wasn't going to be denied. The series ended on a sour note, however,
when Coutu's extra point attempted was blocked when Tommy Johnson got
a hand on the ball. Chris Anderson took the ensuing kickoff to the Tide
31 yard line, giving them decent starting field position. To start the
drive, Jay Barker splits out wide, and David Palmer takes the field
under center. The UGA secondary reacts well, but Palmer is able to turn
a busted play into a 17 yard scamper as he slipped through the Georgia
line. After consecutive first down pass completions, the Tide found
itself setup on the Georgia 38. A double reverse to Prince Wimbley
provided him a chance to redeem himself for the earlier fumble. He
takes the opporunity and runs with it, right into the end zone.
Georgia
gets the ball with 2:17 left in the 1st half. After catching Bama off
guard with a delay draw from shotgun, Thomas Brown finds himself 22
yards upfield. Running the hurry-up, however, causes two straight
incompletions. UGA then tries to run out the clock with a run up the
middle in hopes to give the UA offense little time to work with when
they get the ball back.
They left enough for David Palmer.
In almost an exact recreation of the punt return against Vanderbilt,
Palmer takes the punt under what looks to be the most dire
circumstances, spins through the first wall of UGA defenders, and jukes
his way through the 2nd. Leaving befuddled Georgia defenders in his
wake, the Duece cruises his way to the end zone, giving the Tide a 17-6
lead at the half.
In the 3rd quarter, UGA has found that Bama
just has no answer for Leonard Pope. They are getting to Shockley with
plenty of pressure, but his release is one step quicker than the
barrage of Tide defenders. Pope catches 3 straight passes and rumbles
his way down the field carrying multiple Tide defenders. When the Bama
defense finally adjusts to Pope by shading to his side, Georgia
counters with Kregg Lumpkin on a sweep. 28 yards later, he finds
paydirt. Richt elects to not go for two, but this time the extra point
is successful. Bama 17, Gerogia 13.
The Tide offense, having
struggled for most of the day, decided to go smashmouth. With a 4 point
lead and nearing the 4th quarter, Gene stallings felt his offensive
line and running backs could wear down the UGA front seven. The result was
a drive lasting 6:29, with all but one play on the ground. Derrick
Lassic amassed 44 yards on the drive, Chris Anderson 23. The only pass
was an 11 yard screen pass from Jay Barker to Sherman Williams.
Unfortunately for Georgia fans, he was doing his signature "Sherman
Shuffle" in the end zone shortly after his reception.
Trailing
24-13, the Bulldogs never really recovered after that. Shockley led
another impressive drive, and though Georgia needed two scores, Richt
elected to go for it on a 4th and goal from the 4 yard line. Shockley rolled out
on a bootleg, but it was sniffed out by Curry who stayed at home.
Final Score: Alabama 24 Georgia 13
Link to Bracket (possible spoiler)
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