ATLANTA (AP) — — Even with Georgia undefeated in 2021 and unanimous No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 for the eighth consecutive week, Nick Saban and Alabama still cast a shadow over the Bulldogs’ season.
Alabama looms as the imposing barrier between the Bulldogs and their Southeastern Conference championship quest.
Georgia has lost six consecutive games against No. 4 Alabama entering Saturday’s SEC championship game in Atlanta. That stretch includes three games played in Atlanta — SEC championship games in 2018 and 2012 and the national championship game following the 2017 season.
Watch Bulldogs Game Day at 11 a.m. Saturday as Channel 2′s Zach Klein and Heather Catlin break down the SEC Championship Game with analysts Aaron Murray and Thomas Davis.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart insists the losing streak against Alabama has nothing to do with this year’s team. Smart, the former Crimson Tide defensive coordinator, is 0-3 against his former boss, Alabama coach Nick Saban, in his six years at Georgia.
“Well, I hadn’t been a part of all those, but obviously, this year is this year, and every year is independent of the previous,” Smart said Sunday. “I don’t think there’s any overlap between the two. I know people want to make it that, make it some kind of overlap. Every year is independent of the previous.”
[MORE: Full coverage of 2021 Georgia season]
Georgia capped its 12-0 regular season, which includes an 8-0 SEC mark, with last Saturday’s 45-0 rout of Georgia Tech.
Alabama (11-1, 7-1) rallied to beat Auburn 24-22 in four overtimes to close its regular season. The Crimson Tide had been No. 3 in the AP Top 25 before falling one spot on Sunday.
The Crimson Tide took a 41-24 home win over Georgia last season.
Saban also dismissed his team’s recent winning streak against Georgia as having a role in this week’s game.
“I think that’s what’s happened in the past in games really doesn’t have a lot of impact on what happens in the future,” Saban said Sunday. “I think that you’ve got to line up and play well in this game. What happened last year doesn’t matter. What happened the year before that doesn’t matter. You’ve got to play well in this game. So that’s the challenge that we all have.”
Smart coached the Bulldogs to a 28-7 win over Auburn in the 2017 SEC championship game. It was Georgia’s first SEC title since 2005.
Georgia, also No. 1 in the College Football Playoff ranking, is trying to position itself for a run at its first national championship since 1980.
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An elusive win over Alabama would provide ideal momentum for Georgia in the College Football Playoff. The Bulldogs could lose to Alabama and still possibly make the four-team playoff, setting up a possible rematch.
Despite Alabama’s recent mastery of the rivalry, Georgia is favored by 6 1/2 points, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
“Georgia has been the No. 1 team in the country for good reason,” Saban said. “They’re probably the most consistent, most dominant team week in and week out. So obviously going to be our biggest challenge, toughest test of the year.”
Smart said Alabama is a “really good football program” and Saban “has done a great job over there.
“We’ve got a lot of respect for their team and the way they play and the style of play. As we all know, we’ve had some matchups in the past and look forward to this one. It’s a great opportunity for our guys to go out and play a really, really good football team. So I’m excited for that. I know our players are really excited.”
Alabama beat Florida 52-46 in last year’s SEC championship game.
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