All roads in the SEC lead to Atlanta where Alabama and Georgia are squaring off in the conference championship. It marks the fourth time the two teams will square off in the title game.
The Bulldogs have the ability to virtually lock up a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff with a victory after coming in at No. 3 in the penultimate rankings. The Crimson Tide, meanwhile, sit squarely on the bubble and can punch a ticket to the 12-team field by taking down UGA at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
On3 is tracking the title game between Alabama and Georgia with live updates, analysis and instant reaction. Follow along throughout the SEC Championship.
Final: Georgia 28, Alabama 7
Georgia took control early in the SEC Championship and didn’t look back en route to the 28-7 victory. It sealed the Bulldogs’ third SEC title in four years.
Alabama comes up empty again
Needing to make something happen in the final minutes, Alabama’s drive stalled out in the red zone with 3:22 left in the fourth quarter. That meant Georgia took over with an opportunity to run out the clock and win the SEC Championship.
Zachariah Branch scores TD, Georgia closing in on title
After the turnover, Georgia cashed in quickly. Zachariah Branch caught the screen pass and went 13 yards to the end zone, extending the Bulldogs’ lead to 28-7 over Alabama, and putting the SEC title in sight.
Alabama turns it over on downs, Georgia in red zone
Facing 4th and 2 from its own 17-yard line, Alabama chose to go for it. However, Ty Simpson’s pass sailed out of bounds, meaning Georgia took over deep in the red zone.
With 12:33 left in the fourth quarter, Alabama got its first points of the SEC Championship. Ty Simpson hit Germie Bernard on a short pass, and he powered his way to the end zone to cut the Georgia lead to 21-7.
Through three quarters, it was all Georgia as the Dawgs took a 21-0 lead over Alabama. The Crimson Tide will have a 1st and 10 coming up to start the fourth quarter in the SEC Championship.
After forcing a three-and-out and getting strong field position on Zachariah Branch’s kickoff return, Georgia went up 21-0. Nate Frazier scored the 9-yard touchdown to put the Bulldogs ahead three scores in the third quarter.
Alabama received the opening kickoff to start the third quarter, which went for a touchback. The second half of the SEC Championship is underway.
Halftime: Georgia 14, Alabama 0
Georgia put together a strong performance on defense in the first half of the SEC Championship to take a 14-0 lead over Alabama. The Bulldogs had 168 total yards of offense while holding the Crimson Tide to 70 yards, including just 17 rushing.
Dillon Bell TD puts Georgia up two scores
Georgia completed a 14-play, 57-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown pass from Gunner Stockton to Dillon Bell. That extended the Bulldogs’ lead to 14-0 over Alabama with 8:43 left in the second quarter.
End 1Q: Georgia 7, Alabama 0
Georgia held a 7-0 lead after the first quarter at the SEC Championship after capitalizing on two key Alabama mistakes. The Bulldogs will face a 3rd and 3 to start the second quarter after getting back into Crimson Tide territory.
On the ensuing possession after Georgia’s touchdown, Ty Simpson threw his fifth interception of the year. KJ Bolden tipped it at the lien of scrimmage and Daylen Everette picked it off to give the Bulldogs the ball right back.
Georgia capitalizes, strikes first in SEC Championship
It didn’t take long for Georgia to cash in on the blocked punt. Gunner Stockton hit Roderick Robinson II for a 1-yard touchdown, putting the Bulldogs ahead 7-0 with 4:36 to go in the first quarter.
Georgia blocks punt, takes over in Alabama territory
After forcing an Alabama punt, Georgia’s special teams came through. The Bulldogs blocked it and took over at the Crimson Tide 21-yard line.
Nate Frazier goes down with injury
On a 2nd and 14 play in the first quarter, Georgia running back Nate Frazier went down with an injury. The UGA training staff went out to attend to him before he walked off the field.
Alabama won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. Georgia will receive the opening kickoff to start the SEC Championship.
How SEC Championship impacts CFP
Georgia has the chance to virtually clinch a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff with a victory over Alabama. But the Crimson Tide could make things especially interesting, ESPN’s Heather Dinich detailed.
“I think Alabama could make a significant leap,” Dinich said of what an Alabama win could do. “Do they get into the Top Four? I think that’s something the committee would certainly consider. But having Georgia up there, Alabama ahead of them, how that all shakes out in terms of Ole Miss and [Texas A&M], as well, is going to be a good question. But I think Alabama could make a significant leap with a second win against a Top Four team.”
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Zion Branch going through pregame warmups
Georgia safety Zion Branch is going through pregame warmups ahead of the SEC Championship. He is also dressed out, according to UGASports’ Jed May.
Alabama has ruled out running back Jam Miller and tight end Josh Cuevas for the SEC Championship, according to the league availability report. Georgia safety Zion Branch is a game-time decision.
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