This is the second time in seven seasons the National Championship will be a showdown between two SEC teams: Alabama + Georgia.
Some felt Alabama didn’t belong in the playoffs given their recent loss to rival Auburn, a team defeated by Clemson (who was ranked #1) in September. Alabama didn’t play in the 2017 SEC Championship, but the Tide proved everyone wrong by defeating Clemson in the Sugar Bowl.
Georgia also suffered a defeat to Auburn in the regular season + played the Tigers again in the SEC Championship game – this time leaving with a W. Georgia then fought to defeat Oklahoma in a double OT nail-biter.
What you need to know for tonight’s game (kickoff is at 8 p.m.; airing on ESPN):
- Georgia’s head coach Kirby Smart recently coached at Alabama as a defense coordinator.
- Alabama WR Calvin Ridley’s younger brother is a wide receiver at Georgia, and now the two will square off in the title game (their mom must be proud).
- President Donald Trump will be in attendance at the CFP title game – so fans can expect heightened security.
- Alabama leads in wins between the two teams: Alabama 38 vs. Georgia 25
- Alabama is projected to win (but barely): Alabama 23, Georgia 16
- The game has pinged Atlanta as the college football capital, with both teams in driving distance to the stadium.
- 📍 From Sanford Stadium in Athens to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in ATL: 1 hr 33 min
- 📍 From Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Al. to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in ATL: 3 hr 26 min
