Alabama meets conference rival Georgia in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Monday in Atlanta. Here is your 14powers.com game preview and prediction.
THE BASICS
Teams: Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Georgia Bulldogs
Date: Jan. 8, 2018
Time: 8 pm EST
Place: Mercedes Benz Stadium; Atlanta, Ga.
What’s at stake: College Football Playoff National Championship
TV: ESPN
| Date | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 09/02/2017 | Florida St. @ Atlanta | W 24-7 |
| 09/09/2017 | Fresno St. | W 41-10 |
| 09/16/2017 | Colorado St. | W 41-23 |
| 09/23/2017 | @ Vanderbilt | W 59-0 |
| 09/30/2017 | Ole Miss | W 66-3 |
| 10/07/2017 | @ Texas A&M | W 27-19 |
| 10/14/2017 | Arkansas | W 41-9 |
| 10/21/2017 | Tennessee | W 45-7 |
| 11/04/2017 | LSU | W 24-10 |
| 11/11/2017 | @ Mississippi St. | W 31-24 |
| 11/18/2017 | Mercer | W 56-0 |
| 11/25/2017 | @ Auburn | L 14-26 |
| 01/01/2018 | Clemson @ New Orleans | W 24-6 |
| Date | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 09/02/2017 | Appalachian St. | W 31-10 |
| 09/09/2017 | @ Notre Dame | W 20-19 |
| 09/16/2017 | Samford | W 42-14 |
| 09/23/2017 | Mississippi St. | W 31-3 |
| 09/30/2017 | @ Tennessee | W 41-0 |
| 10/07/2017 | @ Vanderbilt | W 45-14 |
| 10/14/2017 | Missouri | W 53-28 |
| 10/28/2017 | Florida @ Jacksonville | W 42-7 |
| 11/04/2017 | South Carolina | W 24-10 |
| 11/11/2017 | @ Auburn | L 40-17 |
| 11/18/2017 | Kentucky | W 42-13 |
| 11/25/2017 | @ Georgia Tech | W 38-7 |
| 12/02/2017 | Auburn @ Atlanta | W 28-7 |
| 01/01/2018 | Oklahoma @ Pasadena | W 54-48 (2OT) |
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|---|---|---|
& The Massey Composite Ratings are compiled from 98 different college football ratings and rankings.
| Date | Pos | Player | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/19/17 | LB | Dylan Moses | Foot | is out indefinitely |
| 11/05/17 | LB | Shaun Dion Hamilton | Knee | is out indefinitely |
| 10/19/17 | WR | Donnie Lee Jr. | Dismissed | is out for season |
| 09/18/17 | TE | Miller Forristall | Knee | out for season |
| 01/06/18 | OL | Lester Cotton | Knee | is downgraded to OUT Monday vs Georgia |
| 01/04/18 | RB | Joshua Jacobs | Hamstring | injured last game is "?" Monday vs Georgia |
| 01/03/18 | LB | Anfernee Jennings | Knee | is downgraded to OUT Monday vs Georgia |
| 01/01/18 | DB | Nigel Knott | Undisclosed | is "?" Monday vs. Georgia |
| 01/01/18 | DB | Hootie Jones | Knee | is "?" Monday vs. Georgia |
Source: donbest.com
| Date | Pos | Player | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/04/17 | LB | Rashad Roundtree | Concussion | is out indefinitely |
| 01/07/18 | TE | Charlie Woerner | Leg | is downgraded to doubtful Monday vs Alabama |
| 01/06/18 | WR | Jayson Stanley | Not Suspended | is upgraded to probable Monday vs Alabama |
| 01/01/18 | DB | Deangelo Gibbs | Undisclosed | is "?" Monday vs. Alabama |
| 01/01/18 | DB | Latavious Brini | Disciplinary | is "?" Monday vs. Alabama |
| 01/01/18 | LB | Natrez Patrick | Suspension | is "?" Monday vs. Alabama |
Source: donbest.com
Offense
| Pos | # | Name | HT | WT | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | 2 | Jalen Hurts | 6-2 | 218 | So. |
| 13 | Tua Tagovailoa | 6-1 | 219 | Fr. | |
| RB | 34 | Damien Harris | 5-11 | 212 | Jr. |
| 9 | Bo Scarbrough | 6-2 | 235 | Jr. | |
| 8 | Josh Jacobs | 5-10 | 212 | So. | |
| WR | 3 | Calvin Ridley | 6-1 | 190 | Jr. |
| 81 | Derek Kief | 6-4 | 204 | RJr. | |
| 11 | Henry Ruggs III | 6-0 | 175 | Fr. | |
| LT | 73 | Jonah Williams | 6-5 | 301 | So. |
| 70 | Alex Leatherwood | 6-6 | 322 | Fr. | |
| LG | 71 | Ross Pierschbacher | 6-4 | 303 | RJr. |
| 67 | Joshua Casher | 6-1 | 291 | RJr. | |
| 59 | Dallas Warmack | 6-2 | 308 | Jr. | |
| C | 75 | Bradley Bozeman | 6-5 | 314 | RSr. |
| 63 | J.C. Hassenauer | 6-2 | 295 | Sr. | |
| RG | 66 | Lester CottonSr. | 6-4 | 324 | Jr |
| 63 | J.C. Hassenauer | 6-2 | 295 | Sr. | |
| RT | 77 | Matt Womack | 6-7 | 324 | RSo. |
| 74 | Jedrick Wills Jr. | 6-5 | 314 | Fr. | |
| TE | 84 | Hale Hentges | 6-5 | 249 | Jr. |
| 82 | Irv Smith Jr. | 6-4 | 246 | So. | |
| WR | 1 | Robert Foster | 6-2 | 194 | RSr. |
| 6 | DeVonta Smith | 6-1 | 165 | Fr. | |
| WR | 17 | Cam Sims | 6-5 | 214 | Sr. |
| 4 | Jerry Jeudy | 6-1 | 187 | Fr. |
Defense
| Pos | # | Name | HT | WT | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE | 9 | Da’Shawn Hand | 6-4 | 288 | Sr. |
| 49 | Isaiah Buggs | 6-5 | 293 | Jr. | |
| NG | 94 | Da’Ron Payne | 6-2 | 308 | Jr. |
| 69 | Joshua Frazier | 6-4 | 315 | Sr. | |
| DE | 99 | Raekwon Davos | 6-7 | 306 | So. |
| 49 | Isaiah Buggs | 6-5 | 293 | Jr. | |
| JACK | 33 | Anfernee Jennings | 6-3 | 262 | RSo. |
| 47 | Christian Miller | 6-4 | 242 | RJr. | |
| 4 | Christopher Allen | 6-4 | 239 | Fr. | |
| SLB | 16 | Jamey Mosley | 6-5 | 248 | RJr. |
| 24 | Terrell Lewis | 6-5 | 254 | So. | |
| MLB | 30 | Mack Wilson | 6-2 | 236 | So. |
| 18 | Dylan Moses | 6-3 | 232 | Fr. | |
| WLB | 32 | Rashaan Evans | 6-3 | 234 | Sr. |
| 18 | Dylan Moses | 6-3 | 232 | Fr. | |
| CB | 28 | Anthony Averett | 6-0 | 185 | RSr. |
| 24 | Jared Mayden | 6-0 | 197 | So. | |
| CB | 39 | Levi Wallace | 6-0 | 183 | Sr. |
| 7 | Trevon Diggs | 6-2 | 195 | So. | |
| SS | 29 | Minkah Fitzpatrick | 6-1 | 202 | Jr. |
| 25 | Xavier McKinney | 6-1 | 197 | Fr. | |
| FS | 15 | Ronnie Harrison | 6-3 | 214 | Jr. |
| 14 | Deionte Thompson | 6-2 | 194 | RSo. | |
| ST | 2 | Tony Brown | 6-0 | 198 | Sr. |
| 5 | Shyheim Carter | 6-0 | 195 | So. |
Special Teams
| Pos | # | Name | HT | WT | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PK | 12 | Andy Pappanastos | 5-11 | 190 | RSr. |
| 10 | JK Scott | 6-6 | 204 | Sr. | |
| KO | 10 | JK Scott | 6-6 | 204 | Sr. |
| P | 10 | JK Scott | 6-6 | 204 | Sr. |
| SN | 52 | Scott Meyer | 6-2 | 226 | RFr. |
| 45 | Thomas Fletcher | 6-2 | 220 | Fr. | |
| H | 10 | JK Scott | 6-6 | 204 | Sr. |
| KOR | 7 | Trevon Diggs | 6-2 | 195 | So. |
| 11 | Henry Ruggs III | 6-0 | 175 | Fr. | |
| 19 | Xavian Marks | 5-8 | 174 | Jr. | |
| PR | 19 | Xavian Marks | 5-8 | 174 | Jr. |
| 7 | Trevon Diggs | 6-2 | 195 | So. | |
| 11 | Henry Ruggs III | 6-0 | 175 | Fr. |
Offense
| Pos | # | Name | HT | WT | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WR | 5 | Terry Godwin | 5-11 | 185 | Jr. |
| 82 | Michael Chigbu | 6-2 | 213 | Jr. | |
| LT | 77 | Isaiah Wynn | 6-2 | 302 | Sr. |
| 55 | Dyshon Sims | 6-4 | 290 | Sr. | |
| LG | 65 | Kendall Baker | 6-6 | 287 | Jr. |
| 58 | Pat Allen | 6-4 | 295 | RSo. | |
| C | 53 | Lamont Gaillard | 6-2 | 301 | Jr. |
| 68 | Sean Fogarty | 6-4 | 295 | Jr. | |
| RG | 74 | Ben Cleveland | 6-6 | 340 | RFr. |
| 66 | Solomon Kindley | 6-4 | 335 | RFr. | |
| 55 | Dyshon Sims | 6-4 | 290 | Sr. | |
| RT | 71 | Andrew Thomas | 6-5 | 320 | Fr. |
| 74 | Ben Cleveland | 6-6 | 340 | RFr. | |
| TE | 83 | Jeb Blazevich | 6-5 | 245 | Sr. |
| 18 | Isaac Nauta | 6-4 | 246 | So. | |
| 89 | Charlie Woerner | 6-5 | 245 | So. | |
| 88 | Jackson Harris | 6-6 | 247 | Jr. | |
| QB | 11 | Jake Fromm | 6-2 | 225 | Fr. |
| 10 | Jacob Eason | 6-5 | 235 | So. | |
| 12 | Brice Ramsey | 6-2 | 210 | *Gr. | |
| TB | 27 | Nick Chubb | 5-10 | 225 | Sr. |
| 1 | Sony Michel | 5-11 | 215 | Sr. | |
| FB | 47 | Christian Payne | 6-1 | 242 | Sr. |
| WR | 6 | Javon Wims | 6-4 | 215 | Sr. |
| 8 | Riley Ridley | 6-2 | 200 | So. | |
| WR | 4 | Mecole Hardman | 5-11 | 183 | So. |
| 16 | Ahkil Crumpton | 5-9 | 175 | Jr. |
Defense
| Pos | # | Name | HT | WT | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DT | 52 | Tyler Clark | 6-4 | 305 | So. |
| 78 | Trenton Thompson | 6-4 | 295 | Jr. | |
| NOSE | 97 | John Atkins | 6-4 | 305 | *Gr. |
| 5 | Julian Rochester | 6-3 | 300 | So. | |
| DE | 13 | Jonathan Ledbetter | 6-4 | 277 | Jr. |
| 51 | David Marshall | 6-3 | 274 | So. | |
| 76 | Michail Carter | 6-3 | 295 | So. | |
| SAM | 7 | Lorenzo Carter | 6-6 | 243 | Sr. |
| 15 | D’Andre Walker | 6-3 | 240 | Jr. | |
| JACK | 17 | Davin Bellamy | 6-5 | 245 | Sr. |
| 84 | Walter Grant | 6-4 | 245 | Fr | |
| MIKE | 45 | Reggie Carter | 6-1 | 230 | *Gr. |
| 32 | Monty Rice | 6-1 | 235 | Fr. | |
| WILL | 3 | Roquan Smith | 6-1 | 225 | Jr. |
| 45 | Reggie Carter | 6-1 | 230 | *Gr. | |
| 44 | Juwan Taylor | 6-1 | 218 | Jr. | |
| LC | 14 | Malkom Parrish | 5-10 | 190 | Sr. |
| 26 | Tyrique McGhee | 5-10 | 187 | So. | |
| LS | 24 | Dominick Sanders | 6-0 | 200 | Sr. |
| 19 | Jarvis Wilson | 6-2 | 199 | Jr. | |
| RS | 20 | J.R. Reed | 6-1 | 194 | RSo. |
| 2 | Richard LeCounte | 5-11 | 180 | Fr. | |
| RC | 18 | Deandre Baker | 5-11 | 180 | Jr. |
| 26 | Tyrique McGhee | 5-10 | 187 | So. | |
| STAR | 35 | Aaron Davis | 6-1 | 195 | *Gr. |
| 14 | Malkom Parrish | 5-10 | 190 | Sr. |
Special Teams
| Pos | # | Name | HT | WT | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 92 | Cameron Nizialek | 6-2 | 200 | *Gr. |
| 95 | Marshall Long | 6-2 | 217 | So. | |
| PK | 98 | Rodrigo Blankenship | 6-1 | 191 | RSo. |
| 91 | David Marvin | 6-2 | 210 | *Gr. | |
| SN | 69 | Trent Frix | 6-0 | 215 | Sr. |
| 43 | Nick Moore | 6-3 | 250 | Jr. | |
| H | 92 | Cameron Nizialek | 6-2 | 200 | *Gr. |
| 10 | Jacob Eason | 6-5 | 235 | So. | |
| KOR | 4 | Mecole Hardman | 5-11 | 183 | So. |
| 1 | Sony Michel | 5-11 | 215 | Sr. | |
| PR | 4 | Mecole Hardman | 5-11 | 183 | So. |
| 5 | Terry Godwin | 5-11 | 185 | Jr. |
TEAM HIGHLIGHTS
Probable Winning Team
| Georgia |
Alabama |
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Score Prediction:
Alabama 21, Georgia 17
COMMENTS: Georgia and Alabama are both very talented football teams. Bama’s ferocious defense matches wits against the nation’s most prolific rushing attack. While Georgia certainly could win this game, Alabama’s defense is just too good against the run and tends to wear down opponents. Meanwhile, the Bama offense has the ability to hurt opponents both through the air and on the ground. Look for Bama to frustrate the Bulldog offense while the Crimson Tide offense gets enough points to earn another national title. Bama’s coaching, playoff experience, and defense give the Tide the edge in this game.
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